I was swinging Baylee in one of those cool tire swings the other day and a thought occurred to me.  This is the only time in all of eternity that she will ever be this age.  She will never again be 5 and I will never have this opportunity to interact with her like this again.  One day when we are both living on the other side of this physical life we will only be able to remember what our daughter/father relationship was like.  It will never be experienced again.

Like most fathers I already look back to the past times in my life and wished I would have been more engaged with my family.  Some of us believe that we have to sacrifice our family time in order to provide for them.  I believe this comes more from the man’s perspective that in order to be a good father I have to provide financially for the family.  But yet children desire time to be spent with them not toys or outings with friends.

They desire a relationship with the father.  The father that gives guidance and direction.  The father that creates a sense of comfort and safety.  Working long hours doesn’t do this, time together does this.  Research shows that many of our problems entering into adulthood stem from a lack father influence in a child’s life.

Think about it.  We were created in the image of God.  We were created with a need to have a relationship with Him.  If we do not get the time with Him we encounter a life that doesn’t make sense.

Now, how do you think our children feel?  Don’t miss the opportunity, invest!