A few years back, my parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a special Mass and reception at their parish hall. People flew in from around the country, and my only living grandparent at the time, Betty Schiefelbein, was also in attendance.

Fifty years. That’s a long time. And they are still going strong today, caring for one another and spending nearly every Sunday “sabbathing like they mean it” at our house, surrounded by grandchildren that are bursting with life, laughter, and love.

Thanks to my parents, I grew up with an appreciation for hard work, a desire to prioritize family above most other distractions, and a foundation of faith that carried me through the hard times. When I look back at my parents and their more than 50 years of witness through the sacrament of marriage, I pause to give thanks for the formation I received from them and how their modeled behaviors shaped who I am as a leader on and off the field.

Now, as a husband, a father of seven young kids, and the leader in several businesses, I want to share my sincere gratitude for three lessons learned from the fortitude, perseverance, and presence of Dick and Leslie Schiefelbein.

Lesson 1: Consistency - Showing Up for Others Every Day

My parents were always there, day in and day out, no matter what. I watched my parents support my older siblings as they grew up, and I never realized how much they would show up and show their support for every sporting event, science fair, spelling bee, and more until it was my turn. I was the athlete who suffered severe injuries every other season and found myself in casts, on crutches, and sitting on the sidelines with my team. But that never stopped my parents from making the commute to “watch me not play”, even though some of our games were almost two hours away.

Consistency matters in life. Because of my parents’ example, I stress the need for consistency within the groups I lead, from being fully present mentally to creating repeatable habits and clarity around the rhythms of the work week. I watched my parents remain fully present in all circumstances, showing up every day with consistency and purpose.

Lesson 2: Excellence – You Can Control the Inputs

In their full-time jobs, volunteer work, local leadership, and in their parenting, my parents worked diligently to operate with excellence. They knew that outcomes were circumstantial and that we couldn’t focus too much on the wins and losses of life. Instead, my parents stressed the need to be excellent in our efforts, doing our best in each circumstance, and seeking improvement along the way.

While it wasn’t always fun to be a kid whose parents cared about the quality of my inputs and effort, I realized early on that their expectations were causing me to grow and mature in ways that paid off later in life as I tackled extremely difficult challenges as a teenager and into early adulthood.

By the time I was 21, I had already launched my first non-profit, and it is still operating and impacting people’s lives now 26 years later. That would never have been possible without the foundation of excellence instilled by my parents.

Lesson 3: Pray - When It Gets Hard, Pray More

I found it strange that my dad would be up before 5:00 am, sitting in the living room, reading the Bible when I was a teenager. He liked using the time before the hustle of the day to read and pray. The more I realized that he and my mom were both strong in their prayer life and that they were both seeking continual growth in that area, the more I felt the deep longing in my heart to do the same. Now, when I spend my early morning hours reading, writing, praying, and planning, I smile and think of the silent witness of my parents.

What’s more impressive is that my parents don’t abandon prayer when things get worse or when it's clearly time for action. In their wisdom and faith, they know that hard times call for more prayer. Although we rarely get to see the full impact of prayer and the role we are playing when we pray for the needs of others, I know my parents have been profoundly impacted by the blessings our family has experienced, especially when it comes to the unexplainable miracles related to the near-death moments of many of their grandchildren.

There is no doubt my parents will pray today and then pray some more. Thanks to their witness, I started my day with prayer and will pray often throughout the workday, with and for my coworkers, and for everyone we will impact or seek to serve today. I will also pray for those seeking comfort, healing, peace, and safety. If you would like prayers today, please email me at [email protected] and let me know if I can share your requests with the rest of the Undivided Life team.

What About You and Your Parents?

What lessons were instilled in you as a child or a teenager that are being used each day now to propel your growth, purpose, and impact on the greater good? We would love to hear from you.

And in the meantime, please pray for Dick and Leslie Schiefelbein, as they continue to impact me and so many around them with their call to hope and witness to all that matters.