In The Roots of Endurance, John Piper writes, “Every leader knows that almost any external burden is bearable if the family is whole and happy. But when the family is torn, all burdens are doubled.”
I’ve experienced this. When all is well at home, I can overcome the most formidable obstacle. But when things are difficult at home, even the smallest challenge seems overwhelming.
Instinctively, we know our level of contentment at home affects how we work. But the work environment seldom invests in families and marriages. We pay a lot of attention to professional development. We send staff to conferences to develop technical proficiency. But how often do we show that we care about our families–even though our homes have a major impact on our work?
At HOPE, I’m passionate about helping families succeed: It’s why we limit the number of nights of travel. And our library not only has books on missions and economic development – but also marriage.
Three books I’ve added this week include:
- Beyond Ordinary. Justin and Trisha were building the perfect church. They were wildly successful. And then their marriage exploded. This is not some voyeuristic glimpse into their infidelity and their very lowest points. Rather it’s a sobering account of small decisions that result in an ordinary–and unsatisfying–marriage. Even if you think you have a fantastic marriage, this book thoughtfully points out key areas where you might be settling for mediocrity.
- Have a New Kid by Friday. Though the title may be slightly overselling the promise of transforming our kids in 5 days, the book’s principles are solid: be loving, consistent, and tough. Instead of catering to your child’s every whim, the author calls you to just walk away if your child has a tantrum at the mall–and to be lovingly ruthless on following up with consequences. It’s no nonsense advice. After just a few days of implementing these approaches, I have seen a difference in my children.
- We Remember It Well. We need champions in our lives. My friends Earl and Vivian are a model of what a faithful and loving marriage could be. With over 61 years of marriage, they have accumulated a volume of stories. Though this book was originally written to share with their family, I was touched by their love for each other and their account of living and serving well.
If all you’re reading is leadership books, perhaps it’s time to invest in deepening the relationships of those closest to you.
