TIME WITH OUR CHILDREN IS PRECIOUS

Have you ever said to a child,’ Not now, I’m too busy?’ I haven’t time,’ and you watched as a disappointed child slunk away.

We should rethink our schedules when family opportunities are presented. Sometimes in Christian work, children may go astray, because a too-busy life lacks time for their nearest and dearest.

I appreciated the Pastor who, when invited to a meeting, replied, ‘I am sorry I cannot come. That is my morning to play with my children.’

Another minister wrote in his church paper, ‘In accord with scriptural injunction to rest one day in seven, Saturday is my family day, while Thursday is my assistant’s.

We are always available in emergencies, but we request you help us to keep this family day of rest and relaxation. ‘

Wise man!

When my husband found that his medical practice infringed on family involvement, he immediately re-arranged his consulting hours, enabling him to spend more time with his family.

Returning home after evening consultations, he read stories to his young children, before enjoying his evening meal. It was quality time as well as quantity, so that we thank God for children who love and respect their father and mother, feeling secure in their love and appreciation.

When a father lacks interest in and time for his children, he deprives them of affection, often resulting in a wayward child.

Talk to your children of the wonders of creation. Our son and five daughters will always remember how their father beckoned them, ‘Come, children, look at the beauties of the sunset or of a well-formed rainbow’. He often led us outside to see the coloured sky with its pink, orange, blue and mauve shades. Picking a flower, he gave one to each child, explaining its beauty, its uniform arrangement, sniffing its fragrance as God’s creation.

As he drove us to the beach or country, he always quoted appropriate verses of scripture. As parents, we loved to attend school functions, sports days or special occasions. Especially, we shared eternal truths with our children, living them out in Christian affection, while loving each one.

Parents represent God in the eyes of the children, who must understand that God has time for them, as they make time for their children. The rewards are many.

In senior years, children will have time for you, because when they were young, you had time for them.

A twenty-year old fellow, hooked on drugs, commented to my husband, ‘My father gave us boys expensive toys when we were young, bikes when we were teenagers; and later a sports car. But he never gave us himself.’ ‘Your kids were special to you.’

Wise men followed the star to find the baby Jesus, and wise man and women relate the life of the Lord Jesus Christ to their children with mutual love and blessing.

Bless your children and your children’s children, as Scripture aptly reminds us.

Read Deuteronomy 6. GWENDA