What up fam and happy “USA beat Canada at the only sport they have to live for” day (for those who celebrate).

WHAT A FREAKIN WIN! Wild that we won on the exact same day the 1980 Miracle on Ice team won their game against the Soviets AND the game fell on George Washington’s birthday.

They never stood a chance.

Here was my view while writing EDW this past weekend:

The wifey and I went to Cabo for a wedding - no kids, adults-only resort, great food, great company (s/o to my wife). Our resort was on a marina - where small fishing boats to mega yachts have graced us with their presence. All ingredients for a #doinitforthememz getaway.

Main takeaway: the need for more rest and rejuvenation as a couple has never been more evident - definitely going to start prioritizing this more.

Now, let’s get into this week’s issue.

-C

(This was pulled from Psalm 20:7-8)

While this particular psalm had to do with deliverance in battle for the king and his armies, as men and leaders of our own “armies” (families), I believe there is something here for us to get.

First, we are in a spiritual battle. And if you don’t think you are, you have already lost. This is paramount for us to understand as leaders.

Second, we don’t fight as the world fights. The world says (as David points out), the more chariots and horses (signs of strength) you have, the better off you are.

Today, that looks like the bigger the house, the bigger the bank account, the bigger the title, the nicer the car, the better off you must be.

NOTE: These things are not inherently bad to have or want, and I believe you 100% deserve the rewards you reap from working diligently to provide for your family. They just shouldn’t be the source of our “strength.”

Our call is to fight by taking pride and trusting in the Lord - fighting our battles from a place of ultimate strength that isn’t our own.

This all can be summed up in the Proverb I referenced a few weeks ago: “A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from the Lord.” (Proverbs 21:31)

Take pride in the name of the Lord AND work YOUR field, then let God be God.

Your habits. Your temper. Your discipline. Your effort.

They don’t disappear. They live inside them.

They are not listening to your words. They are watching your choices.

If you want to change your kids, change yourself.

Because their idea of a man will be shaped by your life, not your advice.

(Credit: William Stern via Instagram)

Saw the above post this week, and loved how simple yet powerful it was.

The only thing I would add is this:

Try your best to approach parenting with both grace and truth.

It’s both a fact and sobering (and exciting) to see our kids become mini versions of us.

But we have to have grace for ourselves, our kids, and the process.

Holding both is difficult but necessary.

And one of the clearest ways we show that our strength comes from the Lord, not ourselves, is by actually resting.

This can take a lot of forms. And obviously, this is fresh for me, coming off a long weekend in Cabo with no kids.

But it doesn’t have to be a trip away (although I think there is something to physically leaving your city, when possible).

This could be one night away with your wife. It could be you just taking a few hours one night during the week after the kids go down to go smoke a cigar. It could be walking around aimlessly at the golf store, or even better - playing golf if you can make the time. It could also be just taking a drive around the city (and of course bringing a sweet treat back to the wife).

Whatever the thing is, just make it a non-negotiable and put it on the calendar. And get the wifey to do the same.

We both need time and space to clear the mind, rest a little, and reset.

The people around us will benefit too, because they’ll get a better version of us.

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See ya next week.