Read: Psalms 39:4, Psalm 127:3

Think: Pastor Ben’s new series on parenting was focused on parents' roles this week. It made me think about the roles of fathers and how they have changed over the last generations. My generation grew up with the 1950s concept of the father as a detached member of the family who provides economically but not emotionally for the children. These fathers had experienced the horrors of world war and were among the first to go away to work everyday. I think this caused many in my generation, including me, to seek a “better” way and make sure our children knew that we loved them because we told them and spent the time to demonstrate it.

Pastor Ben mentioned that one of the things kids need most from parents and I’d add, in particular from fathers, is our presence. This was made real to me when my daughter was about 3 years old. I took a job a long distance from where we lived, I left for work before she got up in the morning and often came home just before she went to bed. My wife brought her to my office for lunch one day and when I got in the car she said, “Is this where Daddy lives?” I was crushed and it caused me to figure out how to start my own business and work from home.

Now, I am so encouraged by many young men I see at the store and at church with their children, many of them being so loving and playful. Good job dads! I believe that more flexible gender roles, more flex time and more jobs that allow employees to telecommute or work from home is a great advantage to the current generation of parents.

Do: If you are parent, look at your time at work and how any of the work advantages offered today could improve the time with your children and your family.

Pray: Father, my time on earth is brief (Psalm 39:4) and the time I can spend with my children and my family is even briefer. Help me to prioritize and manage my time so that my children know what a wonderful gift they are to me. (Psalm 127:3) Amen.