You are only as strong as the weakest link

I have always liked that illustration.  "You are only as strong as the weakest link."  I'm sure I don't have to explain the science behind the saying, but it does make you think.  Or at least it makes me think.  At work, when you're working on a project, you're only as strong as the "weakest link" in the group.  A baseball team is only as strong as the weakest hitter in the lineup.  Stats have proved me right on that one.  In a family, you're only as strong as the "weakest" link.  This has given me the most internal fit.  Because to say that is putting a lot of weight in that comment.  But I have seen families struggle with their teenage children.  I have seen families fight alcohol and drug abuse.  I have seen porn take a grip on a family.  I have seen gambling, murder, lies, and hate destroy families.  You are only as strong as the weakest link. I have seen fatherless children struggle with their place in a family or in life. 

I have felt the fury of hell itself on my family while growing up and the attacks of me personally.  I recognize that the enemy would love for me to have a failed marriage, to be a bum at work, to isolate myself from friends and loved ones.  I don't want to be just a good husband and father, I want to be a great husband and father.  I tend to fall short at times.  I won't bore you with the details, but it's true.  I pray with Jurnee every night that I'm not working.  I always pray for her and for her husband and ask that God prepares him for my little princess and that this man child I allow to marry my daughter is a man of God.  This week, however, I prayed that God makes this boy a better man than I am.  After we said "Amen", Jurnee said, "Ah Daddy, you're a good daddy." Her tone made me feel as though I shouldn't pray that and that I am good enough.  It made my heart melt.  It almost brought a tear to my eyes, but it was just allergies.  Her statement made me realize that I tend to be more critical of myself than others are of me.  It's like I fight a ghost within. I walk around like a one man army fighting memories, ghosts and shadows of the past in my head.  I don't want this to be something my children will have to struggle with.  The chains of past generations WILL BE broken with me.  It will stop here.  I will battle for my children to have a father who is involved.  My children will see that no matter what happens in life, that their father will fight for his marriage and his children's soul.  I will be the man of God that God created me to be.  But, I also recognize that I can't do this alone.  We all need help and we all need accountability.  So, I implore you to get a few guys, or if you're a gal get a of couple of gals, to hold you accountable.  True friends will not leave your side to fight alone.  I have a few great buddies who have the scars of going through battle with me and I have the scars of going through battle with them.  Don't believe what the world preaches.  If you do, you will only find yourself hurt.  Don't believe me?  Listen to the screams of your heart that have already been scarred from the world.  Follow Jesus.  Why?  Because what do you have to lose?

In Him,
Jimmy