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We just got back from two weeks away — camping in Glacier National Park and then three full days at Disneyland to celebrate my daughter’s 15th birthday. She’s a massive Star Wars fan (like her Dad). We built custom lightsabers. All three kids designed and created their own working droids. We went on all the rides. Walked 10 miles every day together. Explored Star Wars Land like little kids, with the help of Lily who can read Aurebesh – the official language of the land.

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During our travel back home to Idaho, we asked her how the trip felt. She didn’t hesitate:

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“Those were the best three days of my life.”

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That hit me.

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Not long after, Jen told me: "It felt like you were actually on vacation with us."

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She didn’t mean I had technically taken time off. She meant I was fully there — not distracted, not tethered to a screen or Slack thread, not pretending to be present while still solving problems in my head.

Just with them.

James 4:17 doesn’t say try harder. It says when you know the right thing — and don’t do it — you’re out of step with the Spirit. In life and business, doing the right thing is rarely convenient. It’s rarely applauded. It happens in the quiet moments. But it’s always worth it.

For me, doing the right thing looked like leaving the laptop behind, turning off the phone, and truly spending time mentally and physically with Jen, Lily, Ella, and Ezekiel.

But this applies to every corner of leadership:

·       Following through when it costs more than expected

·       Choosing patience when frustration feels justified

·       Being generous when profit margins are tight

·       Showing up when no one’s watching

·       Honoring your spouse

·       Apologizing, not explaining

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“Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” — 1 John 3:18, ESV

You don’t need more time.

You need more quality in your presence.

This week, ask yourself:

·       Where am I choosing convenience over conviction?

·       Who in my life needs me fully present — not just around, but really there?

·       What “right thing” have I been avoiding because it feels uncomfortable or costly?

·       Am I leading with the kind of character I want my kids (or team) to emulate?

·       What does faithfulness look like— not someday, but today?

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Doing the right thing means searching your heart, and leading without fear or selfishness.

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