Dads: Are You Hitting the Target?
Father’s Day is the one day a year we officially honor all dads with new ties, a day off from household chores and time to relax with the children.
We celebrate the many ways dads invest in their kids and lead their families.
The gift of time
One of the greatest ways that dads impact their children is through the gift of time. Nothing tells children “I love you” more powerfully than devoting undivided attention to them.
Psalm 90:12 says: Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Lyndon Azcuna, executive director of Awana Lifeline, said this about his family: “Your child will only be 3 years old once. He’ll only be 5 once. He’ll only be 10 once, and 15. As a parent, make the most of each year of their lives because you won’t get those years back.”
This means:
- Being available to your children
- Spending quality and quantity time with them
- Listening intently when they talk
- Asking questions about church, friends, school, interests, dreams and daily issues
- Instilling them with love, encouragement and wisdom.
But how can dads measure if they’re hitting the target?
One way is simply by how well we know our kids. Do we have a steady hand on the pulse of their lives, or are our kids more like strangers merely sharing a roof?
Dads, if your child is grade-school age or older, it’s quiz time. Take out your No. 2 pencil and answer these questions. And no asking your kid for answers now!
Do you know …
- The names of your child’s friends? (And who is your child’s best friend?)
- Her preferred learning style?
- His love language – how he likes best to receive love?
- Her top talents – and what she thinks she does best?
- What he thinks he isn’t good at?
- Her favorite and least favorite school subjects? What she likes and dislikes about school, too?
- His best – and worst – time of day?
- Her favorite movie, song, musician, book, website and TV show?
- His favorite activities?
- Her favorite things to do as a family?
- His favorite Bible verse, passage or biography?
- Her hopes and dreams?
- His favorite family meal?
- What she values most?
- Who he looks up to most?
The truth is, we all can connect more closely with our kids. It’s an ongoing process and one of our highest responsibilities from God. Let’s not look back and regret neglecting our children, even for a season. We only get one shot with them. Let’s make the most of it … starting today.
Happy Father’s Day!
This entry was posted on Friday, June 1st, 2012 at 4:44 pm and is filed under Father's Day, Parenting, Summer. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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