“Being a parent is a God-given privilege - a blessing from
God's own hand.” ~ Neva Whitney
Have you heard the one about the
little boy who asked his father how much he made an hour? Surprised by the
question, the father gave his son a glaring look and said tersely: "Look
pal, that’s personal! You don’t need to
know that.”
“Please Daddy,” the youngster insisted.
Surrendering to the child’s timid voice and adoring eyes,
the father conceded: “$20 per hour."
"Okay, Daddy. Will you loan me ten dollars?" the boy
asked.
“No!” said the confused and slightly annoyed parent. “Go get ready for bed.”
Curious as to his intentions and later feeling guilty, the
father went to his son’s room. "Here's
the money asked for earlier," the father said.
"Thanks, Daddy!" rejoiced the son, while putting
his hand under his pillow and removing seven $1 bills and a handful of loose
coins.
"Now I have twenty dollars!" shouted the elated
boy. "Daddy, could I buy you
for an hour?"
What a joy and privilege it is to be a parent and what a
great responsibility too. But if you’re
like me, you’re far from perfect. How
often have your kids dropped in to chat and sat in silence while you checked
your email? Ever told your daughter,
"We'll do it tomorrow." And in
your haste, not see her disappointment?
Or missed a son’s important milestone because “work comes first?”
Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter, and the list of promises
to ourselves gets longer. We can be so
busy with our jobs, and our personal goals, and changing the world, that we
have very little time to spend with our kids.
One morning, we awaken, and all we have to show for our lives is a
litany of "I'm going to," "I plan on," and "Someday,
when things settled down."
When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an
unopened gift . . . thrown away. Life’s not a race. Take it slower. Do something you WANT to do. . . . not
something from your ‘SHOULD DO’ list. End
each day with PLAY.
Go watch your kids playing on a merry go round or listen to
the rain slurping up the soft grass.
Follow a butterfly's erratic flight or gaze at the sun into the fading
night? Start a pillow fight, invent a
new board game, or explore a museum. Play
loud music, dance crazily, or make mud pies.
The activity isn’t necessarily important – the TIME is.
Our children are God-given disciples and they will define
most of our daily schedule and when all is said and done - our life's work! Hear the music . . . before the song is over!
Help me as a parent, Lord, with all my
weaknesses and imperfections. Give me
strength and godly wisdom to raise this child in a way that leads to eternal
life. Please supply what I lack. Amen
