Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (Matthew 10:37)
Jesus’s words lifted off the page of my Bible during one early morning many years ago. The statement arrested my attention and pierced me with conviction. Although these words were not unfamiliar to me, their application never seemed all that pertinent — until then. For I read them at a time when my wife and I were wrestling with what would turn out to be the most significant decision of our lives.
At 29 years old, having recently completed a degree in seminary, we were excited about the not-yet-revealed future God had planned for us in ministry. Our family development was in its early stages. We were expecting our first daughter, two young sons having already joined our family circle. We were at an ideal stage of life — eager, ready, and willing to follow God’s call.
Or so we thought.
