Coming home
one evening after a long, hard day of work, all I wanted to do was plop down in
my comfortable chair and relax. But my 4-year-old daughter had other plans. She
enthusiastically met me at the door and wanted me to go outside with her and
play. I tried to explain that Daddy was really tired and needed to rest awhile,
but to her that was just not acceptable. I then suggested we could play a game
in the living room while I sat in my chair, but as far as she was concerned,
nothing short of running around in the backyard would do. A few more feeble
attempts were made to reason with this less-than-patient bundle of energy, when
finally in exasperation she exclaimed, "But Daddy, it’s your job!"
I confess that
she caught me off guard with such a profound statement, and my stubborn defense
instantly collapsed. She was absolutely right. When I decided to become a
parent, I accepted all the accompanying responsibilities, including my personal
commitment to never neglect my family. This little girl needed to spend time
with her daddy, and I had no right to deprive her of that basic need. With her
simple and pointed words, she reminded me that love "does not seek its
own" (1 Corinthians 13:5) and that all of my excuses were meaningless.
Paul
admonishes his readers to literally "redeem" the time they have been
given (Ephesians 5:15). The word "redeem" means to exchange one thing
for another, and since we have our children for only a limited period of time,
how are we using that time and what are we exchanging for it? Surely providing
for our families (1 Timothy 5:8) involves more than just material necessities.
Am I providing love, security, a good example, encouragement, discipline,
spiritual leadership, affection, affirmation, and undivided attention?
To this day,
whenever I am tempted to selfishly focus on my own perceived needs at the
expense of my children or am distracted from my God-given parental duties, the
words of that precious 4-year-old child still ring in my ears: "But Daddy,
it’s your job!" That’s all the prompting I need to readjust my focus and
get back on track.
Thank you Lord
for our children, from whom we learn so much!
–Kevin L. Moore
*Inspired by my oldest daughter Loren.
*Inspired by my oldest daughter Loren.
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