Keith Battle - Rock Solid - Part 7

Finally, I’m concluding a series a day called «Rock Solid.» That’s when you know it’s over because I can’t even remember what it’s called, and I’m supposed to be saying something else. Somebody collect an offering! But I want to do something different today; I saved the best for last. The way I want to conclude this series, and announce that I’m starting a new series, is to plug it. I’m starting a new series next week called «Keep Running,» based on Hebrews chapter 12, so I’m looking forward to that. To conclude this series, I’m going to show you two quick videos that will set the stage for our conversation today. So, let’s roll those videos.

Hi, Zion family! My name is Marilyn Davies, and we have 12 children; yes, it’s true—no twins, no triplets! We have been married for 36 years in a rock-solid home. A couple of things that come to my mind when I think about a rock-solid home are: First, the home should be a haven. Whether you are 2 or 22, it should be a sanctuary where you feel cherished. Second, goal-setting from an early age. We would meet with each child to discuss their goals. This embraced the idea that their goals are important and gave us an opportunity to express how we can help them. Third, family meetings are essential; everyone’s voice is important, and everyone’s opinion matters.

Hello, Zion family! My name is Roland Davies, and I just wanted to share some thoughts on how to build a rock-solid home. First, make sure you spend one-on-one time with God. That time will affect and reflect how you love your wife and children. Do not allow the busyness of life to rob you of that time. Second, every moment matters. Spend every moment you can with your wife and children; you’ll be surprised by what your children remember later in life. Third, expect and embrace conflict. Whenever you have more than one personality in the home, you will have conflict. Conflict is an opportunity to develop a deeper relationship, and the path to that deeper relationship is through understanding and forgiveness. This is how we built our rock-solid home.

Yes indeed, and I believe every word. You’ve got 12 kids and 36 years of marriage! I want the Davies to come to the stage right now so we can have a conversation with them about how you manage raising 12 children. Joining them on stage are our co-directors of Family Ministry at Zion Church, Pastor Mike Rogers and Selika Wood. All right, y’all, let’s give a round of applause for Mike—the audience heard one person out there clap for you. All right, good morning! Thank you all for coming up early today. I was so impressed by the video that I wanted to build the conversation around it, starting with what you said about making the home a haven—a sanctuary where people feel cherished. Talk about that; how do you make that happen?

Well, everyone knows, even more so now than before, that outside the home, there are many forces you have to deal with—competition, hatred, sometimes for no reason. The home should just be the place where you can relax. Some of our children are artists or, shall I say, children-turned-adults, and they have jobs requiring them to perform. When you get home, you shouldn’t have to perform; you should just be able to relax.

Oh, that’s so good! Yes, when you get home, you don’t have to perform. I think many homes operate in the opposite fashion; you get home and face a list of tasks to execute, almost like another job. Thank you for that insight! I love that statement. Does anyone else have anything to add to that idea of creating a haven in your home where it feels like a sanctuary?

Yes, not just for the children, but for us as parents too. We need to ensure that we make our spouses and anyone living in our household feel accepted. Families come in different forms, so it’s important to ensure that everyone feels accepted on every level and free to be who they are. You know, one thing that I know to be true in my life is that you are shaped by your observations, to a great degree. However, that’s no excuse to stay stuck because you can always grow and improve. I’ve always had this mindset with my sons: I need to prepare them for the real world. It could be as simple as leaving a straw on the counter; that’s not a big deal, right? But some people feel like everything must be perfect because it’s such a tough world out there.

I see where you’re coming from, but I understand the need to allow them to be messy. I think I was on the extreme opposite, riding them like a horse and following them up every step. Can I add one thing? I believe a lot of parents think they have to show tough love to their kids, but the truth is that the world is tough enough. Our primary responsibility is to love; we don’t need to impose toughness on them.