May 6, 2003

Dear Dads,

This is as important a dad's newsletter as I have ever written. Please take the time to read it and, if appropriate, avoid two big mistakes that I have made as a husband.

In the past, I have put ministry to other people, including our children, before ministry to my wife. While ministry to others is good, I gave so much time and effort in that way that the relationship with my wife suffered. I didn't have a good balance.

Besides that, I never realized all my wife was doing with housework, raising children, and in later years working part time outside the home.

At the present time, I have been on medical leave from work for almost three months, and my wife has been working outside the home. I have been in charge of bathrooms, laundry, shopping, cooking, dishes, vacuuming, dusting, chauffeuring, etc, etc, etc. It is exhausting, and I don't even have to raise children, as they are now adults, or work outside the home.

Guys, I blew it in not focusing on my wife enough, as well as not appreciating all she was doing at home for many years.

The first Key Point for fathers is:

Make sure your priorities regarding people are in order: 1) Jesus, 2) Wife, 3) Children, 4) Others, 5) Yourself.

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ·.

A second Key Point is:

Realize all that your wife does as a homemaker and express your appreciation often.

Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

Hopefully, if you are messing up like I have, you can quickly change your ways for a wonderful Mother's Day present to your wife.

Your brother in Christ,

Al Wylie

PS- Please pray for me to do a better job in the area of priorities and let me know if there is something I could pray about for you.

Thanks.