I am not a morning person.

I used to be able to sleep in ’til the late morning/early afternoon consistently. I tried whatever I could to get up and get out to no avail. I repeatedly made commitments to God to wake up early and get up and pray.

Once, during seminary, I made that very commitment and even said that even if I never got up, I wouldn’t change the alarm clock time. I did get up at that early time… once. But I never changed the alarm.

But, it became for me a very spiritual issue. Instead of waking up and feeling like I could take on the day for the Lord, I would wake up and feel defeated and deflated. Once again, I was unable to follow through. “I am a miserable wretch… Okay, on with your day.” Part of me resigned to the fact that this was the way it was going to be my whole life. There were times where my slothfulness (really, what else is it?) would annoy Theresa, I’m sure. But she stayed with me (thank God).

But now, things have changed. If I wake up at 8am, I feel thankful that I was able to sleep in.

What changed? Two things.

Richie. And Chloe.

Once my kids were born, my whole life changed. My whole schedule changed. I was no longer able to sleep in like I was in the past because I had lives that were dependent on me.

If you had asked me (or my wife) if I was ready to be a father before my kids were born, the answer would have been Are you crazy!? No. However, what got me ready to have kids? Having kids.

I am still learning what it means to be a father and a husband and a brother and a son and a pastor and a friend. But what is it that is teaching me to be those things? Being those things.

I have conversations with people about marriage. They don’t feel ready for marriage. I told them, You’re not ready. Embrace that. Accept that. But don’t wait for it, either. Because the way you will get ready for marriage is to get married. It sounds a bit scary, but it’s true.

Aside: Generally, I think that when two people who are walking with the Lord like each other… they should date! I think their affection for one another may be the way that God is drawing them together. While you’re dating, date in a God-fearing, other-honoring, spouse-considering way. If it doesn’t work out, then break-up and move on in a healthy manner and no one has to leave the church. \aside

And I think this is a spiritual issue, too. Isn’t that the way that God teaches us? Isn’t that the way that God challenges us? How does God answer your prayer for patience? By surrounding you with docile and passive people? No. He will surround you with people that test your patience. And by doing so, you learn to be patient. How does God teach us about loving? By challenging us to love the unloveable. God doesn’t always get us ready before putting us in a situation; he gets us ready by putting us in a situation.

Genesis 12:1 – “The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.”

Too much time is lost and too much opportunity is wasted in the name of Not Being Ready. Readiness should not be a prerequisite to Willingness.

Lord, I may not be ready, but I am willing.

Genesis 12:4 – “So Abram left, as the Lord had told him.”