I’ve done a lot of thinking about my years as a father, raising three wonderful children. It’s unbelievable how fast the time flew. I could easily focus on things I wish I had done better or differently, as we all do. If you’re not yet a parent, you will do that, too. I enjoy watching today’s parents with their children and picking out the good ideas that I see them doing together. It’s easy to do with Facebook and the way people post their “stories” today. I suppose that’s why I’ve done so much reflecting on the days when we raised ours.
It was a little harder to capture those memories on clunky video recorders. The vast majority of memories are in our heads, but we do have some on fading pictures and various styles of video media formats that we really need to convert to digital. I’m thankful my children are tech savvy and providing us with more pics and vids than I can possibly keep up with!
Nothing beats face to face time spent with your children and grandchildren though. I’ve heard it said that you will never look back and say, “I wish I would have spent more time at work!” That is so true. Never let a single chance go by to spend time with your family. Do the crazy, silly, tiring things with them. Make the memories, play the games, and go to all the sporting events, dance or piano recitals, soccer games, plays, and movies that you possibly can!
Be there and be a positive role model. Most importantly of all, show them Christ and what the love of the Father looks like. Lead them in prayer and in following God. Let your life be a living testimony to them. Let them hear you say “I love you” over and over again, and give tons of hugs and kisses. You will know you’ve done it right when you see your grandkids following Christ and mimicking your Christ-like behavior!
Ephesians 6:4 (NLT) - “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.”