February 28, 2013

By: Gwen Hitt

Well Worth It

Proverbs 6:20-22   My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching. Bind them upon your heart FOREVER; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.

In the 1980's, my husband had a very lucrative job. However, along with financial security came a work schedule of 90 days at work and 30 days home. Now, the 90 days at work could have been manageable IF his work location would have been geographically closer to his family. Instead, he was working in Singapore-a long way from Louisiana!

As our three children got a little older, it was harder for him to return to work. One time when he left, our young son scraped the sides of my husband's new truck with a rock. This action was done out of anger BECAUSE his dad had left him AGAIN. He did not understand that his father was earning a good living for all of us. He just wanted his dad home with him!

Soon afterwards, my husband gave up his lucrative job and came home. This was a huge adjustment for our family, BUT the benefit of having my husband home was well worth it. Today's scripture reminds us that spending time with our children is important and critical to their development. As parents and grandparents, we have been given a monumental responsibility and privilege. What we impart into their lives---instruction, love, memories---will impact them as well as guide their future interactions with their own children.

According to a recent national study of 1500 school children, the number one answer to the question of what makes a happy family was "DOING THINGS TOGETHER."

My challenge to you today is to always make spending time with your family a priority even if it requires sacrifice. For those of you who do not have children, I encourage you to seek ways to become involved in the lives of young children as a caring relative or in the role of a mentor. Proverbs 22:6 tells us "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." We ALL have something to contribute to a child's training!

Dear Lord, Thank You for providing such a good example of a loving parent. I know that my actions will impact the futures of the young people that You have placed in my life. Help me to find ways to spend quality time with them.

I thank You Jesus for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life. In the Name of Jesus I pray, Amen.