While I agree with his emphasis on balancing work with family life, I tend to get tired of folks needing to be told how to act, when it should be clear. He tells of a situation when he had a six week old infant son at home. He was committed to a Christian event which would place him out of town for a few days. And yes, he could have cancelled. In that time, he was hoping his son would've learned to sleep during the night. Of course, if that had been the case, his guilt at leaving would've been appeased, and he'd have been justified in keeping up his out-of-town schedule. As it happens, his son was a poor sleeper and his wife exhausted when he returned. A conversation with his wife afterward spelled out how difficult this was for her, and the author changed how he managed travelling, postponing doing that for a year.
Why is it so hard for folks to be tuned into what the right behavior is in a given situation? Why do they always have to be taught what should be clear?
I appreciate Mr. Shigematsu's goal in the book. He shared how following the Rule of Benedict in the present-day can help a Christian achieve a sense of balance. Care has to be taken, however, that the focus on following what's meant to be a godly goal isn't ultimately a god in itself. Patting ourselves on the back for ticking off the boxes of our plan isn't the way to go. When I've prayed a certain part of the day, talked with my kids, exercised, shared Christ with my neighbor, paid attention to my husband/wife, run a marathon, donated at the food bank, and asked forgiveness on a daily basis, I'm still a sinner plain and simple.
The premise of the book is a good one. But rather than feeling refreshed and challenged at the end of it, I felt defeated. Small bites. Always a good idea.
(i received this book free to review from thomas nelson/booksneeze)
