Author Archives: Tom Wise

Message In A Minute: Fatherhood

My family went to Washington D.C. a few years ago because my wife was attending a conference for work.

We got to see all the memorials and monuments. We were able to experience historic places. We walked, and walked, and walked.

We rode the subway some, but there was a lot of walking.

One of the days, while my wife was in her conference meetings, I ushered my daughter and son around to all the tourist spots. I navigated as best I could. I protected the kids from obvious dangers that come with a dense population, I shared my knowledge from my previous trip to that area. I entertained, and I inspired them when they got tired.

It was great fun, and great work.

It symbolized to me what being a father is…

Part tour guide, part police chief, part circus clown, part wise guru, and part encourager.

Being a father is not easy.

Being a father is not always convenient, it’s not publicly rewarding, it’s not adequately celebrated, it takes wisdom, humility, and strength.

But here is the truth fellow fathers.

You communicate love to your children through attention, time, boundaries, and security.

A son looks to you to see who he should be in the future. A daughter looks to you to see who she should be with in the future.

Your children depend on you.

The time you give them will be remembered forever, the words you speak will be their inner voice for years, and the love you demonstrate will shape their lives.

They watch the way you love and serve God, your wife, and others.

Society is lining up against you, many in media are downplaying your role, entertainers are challenging your relevance. But you have everything you need to be who God made you to be.

The world, our country, our communities, and most importantly your family, all need you to be a father.

Not Superman, but super involved.

Not a CEO, but a leader at home.

Not perfect, but dedicated.

Not a hero, but a father.

All your success, all your money, and all your accomplishments are rubbish, if you fail to be a father to your children.

Yield to God, stand up for truth, and love your family.

-Tom Wise

Poetry: Holding On/Letting Go

Years roll by with lessons learned,

The script plays out with experience earned.

Memories dazzle like gifts we hold,

Illuminating minds as scenes unfold.

Time won’t yield for any tears,

Pulling us through all faith and fears.

Looking back on what has been,

Proves to be the greatest sin.

Finding one who redeems the time,

Makes the past and present rhyme.

Life is who you love, not who you know.

Life is holding on, life is letting go.

-Tom Wise

Message In A Minute: Steps of Faith

I have a nephew who has reached a cuteness level which would allow him to get away with anything.

Fortunately for his parents, he has yet to understand the depth of his super power.

Early on there was concern because he was not able to stand or walk at the appropriate age. The doctors ruled out anything serious but the family was rightfully concerned.

His parents tried different motivating ideas, contraptions to assist him, and anything they could think of to help him. Most of all, they prayed, many people were praying for him. Whole churches were praying.

There are a few videos of his first steps that are burned into the minds of those who love him. We all celebrated when he started walking, then running, climbing, dancing and all the things you would expect a toddler to do.

Before the first few unassisted steps happened. My family was visiting his family and in the living room, there was an apparatus that looked similar to the parallel bars you would see in a gymnastics competition. Except it was miniaturized.

My nephew was standing on one end grasping the support rails. His mother supported him until he started his movement. His father was at the other end encouraging him on. My nephew began to take small steps with a smile on his face, keeping his focus on his father.

This “Message In A Minute” conclusion almost writes itself doesn’t it?

The religious world uses the words “spiritual walk” to describe the growth and life of a believer. The church is often referred to as the “bride of Christ,” a symbolic mother for us. And God is our Heavenly Father.

We stumble, we fall, we hear encouragement, we struggle, we take one step at a time. But keeping our Father as the focal point is the surest way to get where we want to go.

How is your walk going?
Are you tempted to give up?
Do you feel like you’re not making progress?

Keep your eyes on your Father, He is the reason we take the steps, and He won’t let you walk alone.

-Tom Wise

Poetry: Hope and Hurt

Often the crowds of loneliness stayed,
in hearts where hope and hurt have played.

Regret puts on a blissful face
To hide the pain of empty space.

Hearts that beat so far away
Long for each at dawning day.

Thoughts of past and fears to come.
Crush so many but harden some.

Hidden in vanity and masked by smiles, 
Spoken in minutes the tears of miles.

Mercy opens guarded doors, 
Prayers hit ceilings, faces hit floors.

Rescued and ransomed by constant ache, 
Peace returns after heart’s break.

Redeemed by one who brought heaven here, 
Perfect love has cast out fear.

-Tom Wise

Poetry: Walks In Light

I was hungry, did you feed me?
I was lonely, did you see?
I was lost and confused,
And you ignored my plea.

I needed hope but I was rejected.
I searched for help and I was neglected.
Instead of a person you made me a recruit.
I needed compassion, you left me destitute.

Missing the point, all is forsaken
More blessed to give but you have taken.
The tombs are washed to fool the people.
Shallow the messages under the steeple.

Pep talks and slogans entertain the sheep.
Slippery the slope, the mountain is steep.
Reducing good news to personal gain.
Chasing favor but denying the pain.

Only one hope to make things right.
Piercing the darkness He walks in light.
Asking the weary to come and find.
Mercy for hearts and peace for minds.

Self centered visions are now rejected.
In forgiveness for sin love is perfected.
Condemnation has faded, mercy has won.
Deny yourselves and follow the son.

-Tom Wise