Christian Foundations

DEVOTIONAL ARCHIVE

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by Dennis and Barbara Rainey

2 Timothy 1:5
For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.

The Encyclopedia Britannica gives a half page to the accomplishments of Charles Francis Adams, the son of President John Quincy Adams. The younger Adams followed the political trail of his father and became a U.S. diplomat to Great Britain. The encyclopedia makes no mention of Charles's family, but Charles's diary does. One day's entry read: "Went fishing with my son today-a day wasted."

Another diary, however, offers a different perspective: "Went fishing with my father-the most wonderful day of my life." The person who wrote those words was Charles's son Brook.

Interesting, isn't it...how a little boy's perspective can be so different from his dad's?

But it's true of me, too. I can remember a fishing trip with Dad to Canada where I caught a trophy northern pike. And another outing to a local lake where he netted my tiny catfish-a fish so small that it went through the holes in the net. He always kidded me about that fish. His laughter still echoes in my mind.

It's interesting now as an adult how my mind can play tricks on me. Looking back, those days of vacation memories are among my most cherished possessions. Yet now that I'm grown, I sometimes find myself thinking that I don't have time for playing catch and going fishing with my own kids.

Until I reflect on the value God places on a little boy or little girl.

Prayer:

That God will give you wisdom in your schedule to see what is really important. Ask Him to give you the courage to say no to the less important so that you can say yes to spending quality time with your children.

Discuss: Do you have special memories from your childhood of an adult taking time just to be with you? What spiritual values did you learn? Do you as a parent try to spend some time alone with each of your children every week?

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