Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Wednesday December 5, 2007

Joyce, known affectionately as The Great Blonde, did a book review on Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy for the January 08 issue of Larry Lilly’s Journal and one of the quotes from coach Dungy simply jumped off the page, grabbed me by throat and said, "Larry you will use this, you hear?" Okay, so I am henpecked. Anyway, disagree with the truth in the quote if you dare:

"I really wanted to show people you can win all kinds of ways..for your faith to be more important than your job…for your family to be important than that job. We all know that is the way it should be, I'm not afraid to say it."

I learned well along in life that any trade off of priorities that short changes the family is a bad deal, I confess had I heard Dungy talk earlier, my life, while good, would have been better.

That Coach Dungy is committed to the principles he espouses is witnessed by his actions of compassion when his son ended his own life. In the midst of this heartbreak, this father remained the stalwart husband to the wife of his youth. He then ripped the time from his professional life to be there for his surviving children. Tony knows from the love he experienced from a child that a good family relationship will be worth its weight in gold long after the glory of who won the 2007 Super Bowl has faded into the misty memory of fickle fans. Fans are with you in the winning, true family is with you, period.

As I write this piece the words came right back into my face and carried a memory that I should not have. Years ago my little wife had a 5th cervical fusion. I was supposed to preach in Florida that day, so I called and the church graciously rearranged my schedule. In addition I was to take a man from our church to a Southern city enroute so that he could visit a relative. As soon as the doctor said Joyce was alright, I left her, loaded the plane because the rider was antsy to get to see his relative. Had I to do this over, the church in Florida would have used a substitute, the man who hitched the ride, would have walked to the Southern city. When my time of trouble came, can you guess who was the very first to lead the charge against me? The little wife stood by my side and is still there. I learned a hard lesson. I am thankful for Coach's statement, as mine will be twisted as sour grapes. A simple statement, "I am sorry, but I must cancel any plans, my family needs me" is the biblical one and we/me should make this stand and stick to it.

According to Joyce Quiet Strength is loaded with grand principles that she is certain her favorite Indian could use. I will probably get a copy for Christmas, and I would not be surprised if many pages have corners that are turned down, just as a hint to save old lover boy time to get right to the areas where I need instruction from a real pro.

Get me right, I know many characters in the Bible were failures as to the family, but as life rolls along, I doubt that they or any man ever sat down in the twilight of years and softy whispered to the wind, "I am so glad I failed my wife, my family." Quite the opposite I am sure.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2007 Use with credit.

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