Feb 5, 2018 by Jim and Jerolyn Bogear

 

 

Jerolyn and I recently lived near a park with a running/walking path around it. It was good to get out to experience both exercise and fresh air.

With plenty of trees and a small stream there were a plethora of squirrels. When I wasn’t focused on breathing, surviving (yes, there was an attempt at running on this path:-) God taught me a lesson. These squirrels were working hard — gathering, running, climbing, and sure some playing. God had provided them with much, but here’s the catch, they had to go get it!

God is indeed our Provider. We are experiencing this “foot in the River, faith-filled, God-sized, immeasurably more adventure” like never before. AND loving it! God continues to open doors on our behalf and provide opportunities. It is truly amazing to watch Him work on our behalf, but the squirrels reminded me that we have to go get it. We continue to connect, reach out, train, study, learn, prepare our talks/workshops, work on our writing (see what I am doing here:-), and much more.

God is providing but He expects us to go get it. To work for it. To gather. To prepare when we receive invitations and opportunities. So, like the squirrels we don’t just sit at home; we still need to work. We have borrowed the phrase, “Work hungry.” We need to “build the business before we build the house.”

A current personal story to illustrate this: We have chosen to wait on purchasing a home again to see where best to live and launch. But even more than purchasing a house, what is God going to provide for us in this journey as we seek Him, work hard, build and grow that we could limit if we “jump” too soon? We have sacrificed the security and “comfort” of a home for now as we build the business and work hungry!

God is providing but He expects us to go get it.

These thoughts simply come from watching squirrels work hard in preparation and provision. God has provided and takes care of them; He really does provide the same for us. But we are still expected to work. God will provide but not literally drop it in our laps as we sit on the sofa.

Since we moved from this location, I’ve been meditating on this then recently read a devotional from Tim and Kathy Keller on Proverbs. “Go to the ant you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest…A little sleep, a little slumber, and a little folding of the hands to rest-and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.” Prov. 6:6-11 NIV

Now, overworking is a problem. Many of us have experienced, justified, and continued to live that way for much of our life. That is legitimately an issue and not the best way to live. So if you’re problem is more in this area, then you need a different discussion but for many it is just the opposite. The devotional states, “For what used to be thought of as good, reasonable jobs are now seen as demanding unreasonable standards. Many are immune to ‘hard work.”

How are you working? God provides but we are expected to earn it, not be entitled to it. We are to work hard and be like the squirrels, or ants, and be intrinsically motivated to work, gather, produce, and go get it.

How to Work Better:

• Evaluate your work habits — Do you lean towards workaholic, industrious, just get by, or lazy?
• Develop a dependence on God for providing, but an attitude of going to gather.
• We all know there is a difference between busy and productive. The adage is true, “work smarter,  not harder.” What is your assessment of how you are doing in this area? What alignments need to be made?
• Always take time to reflect and rest.

Trust God, watch Him work on your behalf, but be obedient to “gather” what He has provided, and prepare for those opportunities. The squirrels working hard, darting, climbing, running, and ultimately gathering food reminded me again of my dependence on God, but also that although he has provided, I am expected to go get it.

~ Jim and Jerolyn

 

God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life: A Year of Daily Devotions in the Book of Proverbs. Tim and Karen Keller (Pgs. 12)

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Integrity: Being Loyal

Jan 18, 2017 by Jim and Jerolyn Bogear

One of our family values is Integrity. It is one of our 6 values that we chose to identify and name for our family, although we were already practicing this value. As a part of the Integrity value, loyalty is one of the key identifiers for us as to implementing and living out this value along with a strong work ethic and honesty.

Lauren, our oldest child who is now grown and married, modeled this so well in her friendships that other friends would literally use this word to describe her.

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How’s Your Work Ethic?

Feb 3, 2015 by Jim and Jerolyn Bogear

 

Work ethic is one of those key core values of ours. It comes under our value of Integrity, and we believe work ethic is a critical part of that value. We do believe in our words and keeping them true and correct, but along with that our work commitment and strong ethic speaks rather loudly to being a person of Integrity.

“There is someone out there that also wants to be the best, so I have to outwork them to be the best..” Amari Cooper

Amari Cooper was the wide receiver for the nationally ranked University of Alabama and now plans to go to the NFL. This video clip attached was done this past fall and is presented by ESPN. When watching this you will hear described so well about his work ethic and who helped model and teach him that work ethic. We believe it articulates well what we often attempt to communicate, so watch, enjoy, learn, and process his words and actions to apply to your own life and to your parenting.

http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/90096/video-amari-cooper-the-quiet-man

Work Ethic. Integrity.

How are you doing with this value? How well are you modeling and teaching your children this value? It really is a game-changer in life.

~ Jim and Jerolyn

 

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How to Train Your Kids to Finish Well, Part 2

Apr 23, 2014 by Jim and Jerolyn Bogear

 

On Tuesday we discussed the idea of finishing well and how we can model that for our children. Today we will cover some strategies for training our children to finish well.

A couple of weeks ago our church put on a 5K/10K run. The most inspiring runner came in last on the 5K. Paul suffered from a stroke almost one year ago to the day of the race. But he did that entire 5K with cane in hand in 2 hours and 15 minutes. Everyone crowded around at the finish line to cheer Paul in as he slowly put one foot in front of the other, and I don’t believe there was a dry eye in the place. Paul could have said at any point on that route, “This is too hard and I’m too slow. I give up.” But he didn’t. He finished well.

After we model for our children what it means to finish well, we need to train our children to finish well.  I think with raising our kids, we’ve seen this happen in three ways:

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How to Train Your Kids to Finish Well, Part 1

Apr 21, 2014 by Jim and Jerolyn Bogear

 

I can hardly believe that our youngest, Gabby, finishes her sophomore year of college tomorrow. Unbelievable.  Now, I understand, some of you are just finishing spring break and have a little while to go yet. But all of our kids, from kindergarten through college are in the final days of this school year.

Our children are finishing up projects that they have put off since at least January. They are freaking out about cumulative finals and wondering why on earth anyone expects them to remember everything from the beginning of the year. Some have just succumbed to the long-awaited Spring fever and checked out completely.

Wherever your children fall right now in their attitude and perspective on school, we as parents need to help them finish well.

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