Little To Big

When I was a child, I loved building with Lego. Dad built me a wooden box that I filled up with my Lego. Morning and night I would scratch around in that box looking for the right pieces to build cars, trucks, boats, houses, cities, etc. When I built my first crane, it was grand! It was four foot high with a long jib with a good counter balance at the other end. However, the motor could not lift the heavy cargo. Dad looked at what I created and saw the problem. It was with my gear wheels. I had put a big gear wheel from the motor that was driving the little gear wheel. Dad suggested to swap them around, and taught me the principle of "little to big". It worked! It is often the little things that make a big difference. Sometimes its good to start small because, as Paul Kelly wrote, "from little things big things grow".

Look For The Positives

I struggled academically at school. Even though I tried, my marks were average. One year when I nervously handed dad my report, he opened it, and I could see his eyes running over the marks, and then dad said to me, "well son, you have good effort marks". Today, I smile at that comment because obviously, my academic marks weren't great! I'm sure mum and dad would have said something about my marks however I can only remember dad's positive comment, "you have good effort marks". In the height of the dark days of World War II, a song was written called, "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive". It has since been sung by many famous singers and used in several movies and commercials. What I learnt from dad was there are always positives among the negatives. We just have to look for them!

When Building, Build To Last

Dad loved to build. For us Moyes' kids he built a large cubby house, billy cart, dolls house, mouse house, a fire truck that you could sit in and steer, etc. As a pastor, dad built centres for the homelesss, the aged, and the orphaned. He built colleges and even the 40-story Wesley Centre in the heart of Sydney. Around our various homes, dad built extensions, barns, and decks. On one occasion as dad was teaching me some building skills he said, "when you build, you build to last". In others words, do a job well so it will last longer. It is a good principle to apply in life. For those who are leaders, teachers, parents, etc. you are building into the lives of others. Build wisely and lovingly into others and there will be a healthy legacy that will last a long time.

Never Give Negative People A Platform

I learnt a lot of lessons in my leadership role. Sometimes these lessons I have learnt through my mistakes. In one of my earlier churches there was a negative person, often critical of the way the church was led and the various decision that were made. I thought to myself that I would get them involved in a leadership position and that would shut them up. How quickly I learnt how wrong this is. Dad since taught me to never give negative people a platform. By giving such people a platform gives them permission to voice their critical views to a listening audience.

Don't Be Afraid To Talk Numbers

Over the years I have been criticised for talking numbers. People have accused me of focussing more on numbers than people. How wrong they are! Churches need to be concerned about numbers as dad taught me, "every number represents a lost soul". Just look in the Book of Acts and see how Luke recorded numbers. God was so concerned about numbers that there is a whole book in the Bible called "Numbers". If you desire to see lost people saved and for followers to become disciples, then in your planning and reporting, don't be afraid to talk numbers.

To Love Your Children, Love Their Mother First

One of the first lessons dad taught me soon after the birth of our first child was "Son, if you really want to love your children, love their mother first". I have often thought about the relationship between my mum and dad. Dad was many things in public life but he always loved my mother and my mother showed sacrificial love back to him. This love for each other was shown through words, writings, faithfulness, deeds, and affection. This principle is challenging for divorced parents, so when possible speak to your children about the positives of your former spouse, not just the negatives. Parents who show love for one another instil security within their children, exhibit healthier ways to deal with hard times, and ultimately create happier memories. For me and my siblings, mum and dad gave us a wonderful model for marriage and in raising our children in loving environments. Thanks mum and dad!

Family Dinner Around The Table

When I was growing up I remember Dad being very busy - and he was! Running an organisation employing nearly 2000 staff is very demanding. However, in all his busyness I remember him coming to watch me play rugby on Saturday mornings, enjoying family holidays every year, and having dinner together. Each night having dinner together were noisy with a family of six. We didn't always behave nor did we always listen to each other (cause we often talked over each other, having fun, etc). But we were together, for that one hour, each night without the television on. As we Moyes kids became teenagers we would emerge from our separate rooms, had dinner together, washed up (well, kinda washed up), then back into our rooms, and dad going back out to meetings. But we did come together as a family each night around the dinner table. Today, family life is more fragmented with competing demands - sporting practises, smartphones, and different working hours. In your busyness, make it a priority to have meals together with all electronic gadgets off, and enjoy being a family (or couple).