“Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me” (Matthew 18:5).
A busy man had an appointment in our office. While he was waiting to see our boss, I asked him about his family. He said, “My 3-year-old daughter is becoming a problem. She always wants to be with me.”
When children are small and we are busy trying to organize the household, keep a career going and spend time at church, any extra demands can seem problematic. My friend with the 3-year-old daughter said, “She isn’t hungry, she isn’t sleepy, she isn’t cold, she just wants to be in the same room with me, to see my face, to hear my voice. It is hard to get anything done.” He then went to his meeting, so I did not get to tell him what I know about small girls: Enjoy them while you can! They will not always be small and they will not always want to be with Daddy.
When kids start school and make friends of their own, being around Daddy isn’t going to seem as exciting. When they have their own ideas, Daddy’s advice will not always be valued. Seize the moment! Make those memories while you can. The things I remember about time with my dad are not the big things. I don’t think about the vacations or the gifts. Rather, I remember the time Dad combed my hair for a birthday party and when he showed me baby rabbits in the woods.
It isn’t the event a child wants; it is YOU. Children love you because you belong to them, not because you are smart or successful.
Never take those special times for granted. They are gone in the blink of an eye.
Kimberly Snider is a missionary to the Philippines.
From “Moments for Moms,” a free email subscription.
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