McArthur Family Update: November 2015

Last month I experienced something every father should. I played MR. (single) mom while Alli went to surprise her mother on her 50th birthday. I knew it was going to be a difficult week but I was counting on that a lot too. I'm not going to lie it was much harder than I expected. As you can imagine with 3 very young boys things were non stop. It was a very long 7 days without momma. When one wants to eat the other needsw to be changed and while you are changing the one kid the third kids wants you to play with them. There are always decisions to be made and priorities to be had. Such as during nap time should I clean or take a nap? I pretty much always opted for a nap. I surprised myself and actually had the house simi-clean (floors were not moped, laundry was never folded and the house never was not really that clean). Honestly I don't know how Alli does it. I had a lot of great memories with the boys and we had a blast. I really bonded with Judah and we have a different relationship now.

I learned that being single and having kids is extremely hard! I know that it doesn't really count because I still had a wife praying for me and encouraging me but she wasn't able to physically help me. There were times where I felt lonely as well as stressed.

I learned that my wife is superwoman. She is able to do so much in a given day for the good of our family. It is amazing how God has equipped her to serve and love so faithfully. I knew she was good at what she did but man do I have a much deeper respect for her. She is truly an example of grace and hard work.

For over a year now Alli has had 1 Corinthians 12:9 posted in our kitchen. It never really spoke to me the way it spoke to Alli. That was until the 3rd day of watching the kids. It hit me like a sack of bricks. Read it and meditate on it, 'But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.'" See God knows we are weak and in need of Him for strength. When our weakness is revealed the Gospel speaks to our weakness and says my power is enough to flourish you. Acknowledge you are to weak to do it because Christ power can. This passage was an attitude change throughout the week. I had to practice reciting it and repeating it in order to believe it. Life is hard and it's not enough to just read the Bible or skim a passage we have to soak in it His rich word.

We host many mission teams throughout the year and I get the same question over and over, "what does Alli do all day" I laugh and explain to them. See Alli's mission is her family. She is an amazing mother and a fantastic wife. Her mission field is her 3 little boys (soon to be more when we get kids on the ranch). I praise God that she pursues her mission with faithfulness.

She has embraced her calling to the fullest. It doesn't mean that it's easy but it is rewarding. She is genuinely shaping and disciplining 3 little lives. She is blessed by her calling and she has blessed many through her faithfulness. God has called us all to serve and to give our lives. It may look like a stay at home mom or a high end executive, either way it's up to us to be faithful in our calling. I hope you find joy and purpose in your life of ministry.