Transition to Home Economy

Herrick Kimball had a good post recently on Returning To The Family Economy. I have written on this before. I am a firm believer that this what we should be working toward. I have been thinking about it the last couple of days and think that the transition will be much harder than most people think. I have had some experience with it, as a lifetime "family farmer", and thought I should offer some insight into some of the challenges that the postmodern Christian family might face.

The fact is that most Christian families today operate in the system that keeps dad away from the homeplace most of the day. This is the norm. We can listen to Vision Forum tapes, read books about being families, and think we have the world by the tail. Once we take the first step towards a family business we start to notice a few things. The biggest thing I think will be learning how to get along and love each other all day instead of for a couple of hours before bedtime. It sounds easy, but most American families don't even know what its like to be with their spouse and children all day long. Ever heard the old lady that complains about her retired husband that spends to much time in her house? Sad, but it happens a lot.

Fathers, When we begin the home business we lose something that we have become accustomed to. An escape. I think its a darn good thing to lose for many reasons, but it will be an adjustment nevertheless. When we spend the day at the office, perhaps surrounded by unbelievers, its to easy to get away things that we would never let our kids get away with. Its to easy for example, to break 2 or 3 commandments just so we can close a deal and make the boss a quick buck. Then our homes become the escape we need to forget about the evil thing we did at work. We can go home and read the bible with the family and act as if nothing ever happened. The family economy brings us the accountability we need. We also will be faced with a new challenge. Our partners-employees-workers are now our wives and children and grandchildren. This can be a very sticky thing. I have for many years had trouble not taking the business arguments to the dinner table. No longer can the troubles at work be forgotten on the car ride home. We must turn to God's Word when dealing with this potential problem. These are just a couple things to think about. There are many more things that will be a challenge. I'm not telling you these things to discourage you. I want people to be aware that the transition may be tough so they can better prepare themselves for it. It can be done and should be done. The fruit of the family economy is bountiful and worth being pricked by a couple of thorns along the way. It is an edifying experience. We must remember that edification is not always painless.