Solomon once wrote, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord…happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.” Men this day in age often fail to see the riches that are to be had in raising children. Many times dads embody the proverbial “Cat’s in the Cradle” song by Harry Chapin. “A child arrived just the other day. He came into the world in the usual way. But I had planes to catch and bills to pay. He learned to walk while I was away.” In the song, the father finally has time, but his son is long gone caring for his own family.
It is while our children are young that we build those bonds that will last. Surely, closeness can be built later in life, but it is while the minds are young that they are so malleable. The golden age for training and teaching is short, and before we realize it, it’s gone.
I heard on the radio the other day a truth that sunk deeply into my conscience. Our society boasts about family values, but it is increasingly selfish and individualistic. Even churches are hurt by this attitude. Churches should be very communal in nature, but in a society that is leaving the community for self proves hostile to such notions.
Therefore, I look in my life and realize that I too have been just as guilty. I have my desires, my hobbies, and my goals that I pursue. How often those things take valuable time from those I should care most about. I encourage dads and even moms to take the time to slow down and be a family. Build those memories while it is called “Today.”
