The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

It was a very significant time

“The time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

Charlene had been estranged from her family for many years. She refused to come to family reunions. She missed family celebrations. She didn’t even come to her grandmother’s memorial service. Then one of her friends came to see her. “Char. I don’t know what happened so long ago, but your dad is dying, and I thought you ought to know.” Suddenly it was like an arrow of burning conviction and profound regret shot through Char’s heart. “I can’t!” she said through her tears. “I’ve been so terrible to them for so long. None of them would want me,” Charlene choked out the words. “That is absolutely not true. You don’t know this, but I have your brother Josh on the phone. He wants to talk with you,” and with that she handed the phone to her friend. I’ll share more about this tomorrow.

For today: Read the verses again. Is this what you want to be able to say someday? Me, too!

I’ve changed the names but think of this with me today in our Daily Prescription.

“He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he” (Proverbs 16:20).

You will remember from yesterday that Department 15a was deteriorating into toxicity because of two warring employees. Both were so talented, gifted, and needed for the project on which they were both working. Finally, the supervisor, Chuck, had an idea. He brought in a humorous video of two preschoolers fighting over the same stuffed animal. The battle started with a tug of war and ended up with them both being on the floor and rolling over top of each other before the preschool workers could get to them.

Both employees were called in to Chuck’s office. Both bristled when looking at the other. Chuck spoke quietly and told them that he highly valued both of them. He then played the video. The room was silent. He played it again. Rusty broke a smile. Hank finally laughed out loud. It was Rusty who spoke first, “I got it, boss. I need to act like a grown-up rather than a preschooler.” Hank still was a little cantankerous, but it was the start of a long process of improvement. Chuck handled the matter wisely. What are you facing right now?

For today: Need wisdom? Ask for it (James 1:5). Handle your matters wisely.

“He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he” (Proverbs 16:20).

I will change the names and departments. Human resource personnel were more than frustrated with the situation in Department 15a. Upper management did not want to lose either employee. They were highly educated, extremely talented, profoundly needed in that particular division of the company. To lose either would be a great loss. The problem lay in the fact that both had huge egos and were at odds with each other. It made the workplace toxic. Then one night, Chuck was watching a video online of a daycare. It showed two little preschoolers squabbling over a stuffed animal. Before the workers could stop it, the tug of war resulted in both screaming, crying, falling on the floor, and rolling over each other. The next morning, Chuck called both employees into his office and turned on the video. I’ll tell you what happened tomorrow.

For today: What matters are coming before you? How are you handling them?

Children are amazing as to how they think and some of the ideas they come up with! Think of this verse with me from the viewpoint of being a grandparent.

“Children’s children are the crown of old men” (Proverbs 17:6).

“Grandpa, I have a question for you. Can I come and live with you?” nine-year-old Andrew asked with all the sincerity that he could muster.

“Live with me? Why, Andy boy! Why would you want to live with me?” Grandpa asked, trying to hold back his smile.

“’Cause Mom and Dad are mean. They won’t let me go to the pond alone. They won’t let me play all afternoon with my Play Station, they make me clean my room, and I even have to load the dishwasher twice a week. Please, Grandpa? Can I live with you?”

Well, at this point Grandpa couldn’t hold the laughter in any longer. “Andy, Andy, Andy. It’s because your folks love you that they have rules. Do you know that your daddy used to say the same thing about me?” Grandpa said as he gave his grandson a hug.

With all the wisdom of childhood, Andy responded, “Oh boy, Grandpa. If you told Dad that same stuff, it must run in our family.”

As you and I laugh at this little statement: May Biblical conviction run in your family!

It is Sunday May 18th, 2025 and it is “Look Back Sunday for Dr. Mike!”

Today is a look back to the Daily Prescription I wrote eight years ago.

I love the wonderful hymns and beautiful worship choruses that are sung of the Lord and to the Lord. Think of this precious statement the Apostle Paul said to the believers at Colossae.

“…In psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16).

I am so glad I didn’t miss it! On the day I wrote this prescription, I got up long before sunrise. Sitting near the three windows by my writing desk, I was greeted with the beautiful songs of the birds in our backyard. It was still dark. But it was almost like they were confident that dawn was coming. Their Creator would bring them through this nighttime experience, and soon it would be light. Come to think of it, that is just exactly what the songs of the Lord in this verse will do for you as well. Trust Him!

For today: This thought is just as relevant today as back eight years ago when I originally wrote this brief note. I  still need to be as smart as the little birds in my yard. How about you?