Managing Life At Home On The Road
What happened to the great American dream? We all hoped for the house with the white picket fence and afternoon picnics with fresh apple pie. We imagined the kids playing harmoniously in the yard on a bright, sunny afternoon! Life was supposed to get sweeter with every passing day. This was the life we all signed up for, but it is far from the life most of us have.
I am unsure what happened, but it doesn’t look like that at my house. At my house, the mortgage is due, the kids need new school shoes, the septic tank is not working correctly, and the roof is ready to be replaced. The wife left years ago, and the laundry is piled up in the mud room. If this is a dream, I wish I could wake up!
Life is far more complex than we thought it would be. There is nothing on this planet more important than the family. We are all here because we are trying to provide for our family’s needs. We attempt to create the life that we have dreamed about. The struggle to navigate that journey every day is a monumental task. Trying to lead that process away from home and on the road takes that challenge to another level.
Being away from home for several weeks is almost always underestimated. It’s all good until your loved ones at home feel your absence. Critical things began to surface that no one had planned for. Relationships, parenting, housekeeping, crisis, and drama call your name on the other side of the planet. There are 1,000 miles of asphalt between you and your home. Dysfunction takes the driver’s seat, and we hang on for dear life. How do we manage life at home from the road? Here are some thoughts that you might want to consider:
1. Trust God to help you with the stewardship of your family.
2. Set aside dedicated time to connect with your loved ones daily. Be present with them and always say I love you. Prioritize your family.
3. Automate bills and responsibilities to free up space and time for your family. This will minimize stress and help you have more control of your life.
4. Strategically be home when you take home time. There is no place like home, and there is something therapeutic about going home.
5. Establish a family system to live by. This will keep you from negotiating principles under challenging times.
6. Make sure you are always accessible even when unavailable. Assure your family that you are just a phone call away.
7. Be conscious of the sacrifices and contributions that your loved ones make for you to work away from home. Value everyone’s perspective and contribution.
8. Be intentional and committed to living the dream! Great homes are established on purpose!
9. Always keep your heart turned toward home!
