On March 16, 1967, an amazing leader was born. My husband probably wouldn’t want me to put this on his blog (although he has asked me if I would contribute sometime, but not THIS), because I wanted to write about my favorite leader, him. (He doesn't know I'm posting right now.) I have heard it said that the biggest test of a leader is not how he leads a company, a church or large organization but how he leads his home. If that were the biggest test, I’d say, from the insider’s look, he surpasses all expectations. Although I would love to get all mushy about the man I love, I would rather list some qualities of his from which I think others can learn. I know I have become a better woman because of his influence and I’m sure many could comment here on his birthday of the way he has influenced them as well. (Of course, he wouldn’t want those comments, because he wants this site to be about the three people who read it J and not about he, himself.)
A leader is “hungry”: The Bible says “blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.” Chris hungers in a healthy, driven way. A recent six months could have been time for rest. He used the time as he always does – asking, “in 5 years, what will I wish I had done with today?” He doesn’t know how to “brood.” He doesn’t “rest” when righteousness has not been achieved. He is hungry to know more, to help more, to achieve more and to provide for others who can achieve more. He is continually reaching up for the next rung of personal improvement and bringing others with him.
A leader is humble: You see him as the star of the stage in front of tens of thousands. I see him as a soccer dad, a church elder and a customer at the local family restaurant. Chris treats others as valuable human beings who were created by the same God as he. He doesn’t boast or brag, yet his humility goes beyond. It’s evident in the way he asks questions and learns from everyone, esteeming others as better than himself. I see his humility in the way he treats even me. I want to be the biblically defined submissive wife, and Chris allows me to feel so respected in my role, he makes my job easy. I often hear men complain that their wives don’t follow their lead and they feel like they are dragging an anchor. I feel like Chris proudly displays me on the bow of the boat so I can feel the wind and don’t have the chance to think of becoming an anchor. He gives honor when he feels honor is due, and often when I don’t feel worthy of it. He continually lifts me and the roles I play and points out their value to him. He says, “thank you” for my stay-at-home mom duties as if there’s no way he could survive without them. He tells me he “needs my brain on this one.” When I know his brain could certainly handle anything without me, I feel respected in being asked. This gracious spirit shows a humility from which so many of us can learn.
He is NOT dependent – and I actually don’t mean “independent.” Chris is not dependent on approval of others. This is such a strong quality of a leader. Of course, it takes the pressure off of me, his wife. If he were dependent on me for his joy, I would feel overwhelmed and pressed down. He gets his joy and peace despite circumstances from the Lord, so it’s difficult for a man to sway his direction. Thank goodness my moods don’t swing us both!
He forgives: I am inspired by Chris’s ability to say, “but for the grace of God go I” and forgive. He allows people back into his graces before they have left the room from apologizing. He doesn’t know how to brood. He doesn’t know how to send people on a guilt trip. He just moves forward and helps others do it too.
He gets angry! (righteously): This may be under the “hunger” category, but his hunger turns to anger at such great causes. He gets mad about questions like: why do we protect owl eggs by law and yet allow killing of unborn baby humans? He gets angry over schools not being allowed to teach the Ten Commandments, but states (California recently) not allowing parents to school their own children. He can’t stand that some people wallow, feeling like failures, when he knows what’s inside of them is the same thing inside of himself. He doesn’t sit back and stew, though. He fights with all that God has given him.
He drives: He is a driven man. He is focused on a destination and keeps that always in mind. One time, when we were going 70mph on an exit ramp, I questioned whether it was the right exit or the best way to get to where we were going. I’m sure I commented on the speed at which we took the exit as well. He looked at me and took his hands off the wheel as if to let me control the wheel from my side of the car. We jumped the median and went into the opposing lane before he grabbed the wheel and brought us back over to the right side of the road again. Believe it or not, we laughed. We still laugh today about that night. I needed that. I needed to be shown that driving the vehicle from the passenger side distracts the driver and puts us in danger that would not have been there if I had not asked. I realized that night that I am the most blessed woman to be married to a man with the guts to hold the steering wheel, point it in the Right direction and DRIVE. That’s the kind of leader we all want to follow!
In light of Chris’s birthday, I asked for another’s comments as well:
This is written for his birthday, March 16. Chris Brady is a very kind man who I know very well. He took the time to play Legos and Duplos with me even when I was just a three-year-old. I love the stories he tells about a cowboy, Buster and his part Indian friend, named Jack-Jaw Crowe. They’ve gone on amazing adventures together back in time and have seen real history as it happens. My dad is so amazing to make these up while he sits at my bed. That shows how creative he is. He has let us fish out of the boat by slowing down, even when I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want to go slow. That shows how self-sacrificing he is. He works a lot of the time when he doesn’t have to. That shows how disciplined he is. Sometimes he’ll play with us, even when he has a lot of things on his mind. That shows how fun and kind he is. He has a great sense of humor and tells lots of funny stories. That shows how funny he is. I lost track of how many books he’s written recently. He’s generous too. When I ran out of paper, he gave me a whole new pad! He let us tell him our Bible verses and encouraged us, even though he was really sick. He’s always trying to toughen us boys up in lots of different ways. He has shown us different movies, like Lord of the Rings and Rocky. He’s a great athlete. He’s good at lots of sports. In my eyes, he’s pretty good at everything! He has taken me to meetings and read to me. I get to grow up with him and we do everything possible with my brother too. When times are really hard, he doesn’t whine or complain. He is probably my hero. The biggest thing about him, though, is that he’s a Christian. He has lots of friends, mostly because he’s such a nice person. He’ll take us to beaches when we are in Florida together, go swimming, and do lots of stuff with us. He is also organized. His office always has different books in different piles. He’s let me read some of his books. He’s showed me things on his blog. Chris Brady is a wonderful man. I want to write some books too! I like everything about my dad. He’s a hard worker; he’s disciplined; he’s kind; he’s smart; he’s written five books (I think); he doesn’t brag; he’s self-sacrificing; and most of all, he’s Christian. I think he’s one of the most important men. Thanks, Dad, for all you do for the team and your family!
Love, Casey [age 10]
Update: Thanks to everyone, my awesome wife and family most of all! I don't deserve even a portion of this, but I appreciate it all! (And, all three of you readers out there are fantastic!)
