Have You Cheated Today?

Was your first answer to this question a solid "No"? Were you then relieved that you could answer so surely to an activity that is obviously wrong? When I asked myself that question two weeks ago my answer was a strong "No"! And I was relieved that I wasn't at least cheating in my daily life. But then I read the book Choosing to Cheat by Andy Stanley. My answer was challenged.

I am regularly wrestling with balancing my family life and my ministry life. I love my family. They are my favorite people to hang with. I also love my ministry of counseling. The women I meet with are a pleasure to serve. Herein lies my wrestling! I desire more time with my family and I also desire more time to counsel. How can I get more time? I can't! So my dilemma is how to best use the 168 hours of every week to their fullest and best potential.

In a desire to get clarity on this issue I picked up Andy's book. His premise is that we all cheat. It is a conscious choice that me must all make every day. And that choice is usually being made multiple times a day. We are either choosing to cheat our families or we are choosing to cheat our employers, but we are choosing to cheat someone. Can you relate to that statement? Do you have times where you really want to be with your family but you have to work? Are there times when you can't wait to work at your job but you are stuck doing family things? I can certainly relate!

Some of our dilemma of balance is due in part to how our loyalty and interest is perceived by our families and employers. What communicates to both our families and employers that we are committed, hard-working people who are invested for the long haul? TIME! There's that word again. Commitment is communicated through the amount of time invested.

This is what I wrestle with often- just ask my family and boss! I want all these people to know that I'm invested for the long haul. I want them to know that I love them and am committed to the work that needs to be done for Christ's glory and their good. How that fleshes out week to week is the struggle for me. I want to be committed to "giving up good things for the sake of what is best" (Choosing To Cheat pp. 89). I want to be clear in my calling and effective in how I fulfill it.

I know the wrestling will continue for now. I still haven't found the perfect balance for every day. I'm thankful that my husband helps me by leading me in an understanding manner. I'm thankful for my boss being honest with me and appreciating my bent. And I'm thankful that God is gracious as He continues to teach me where and how to cheat!