One day during this week, I went to pick up my children from school. As I sat on a cement bench, waiting for my children to come, a cute little girl came and sat beside me.
Now I cannot endure myself to stay silent for a long time, except with a book before me or in mode of prayer or when I review the Scriptures that I memorized. I wasn’t engaged in any of these, so I turned and started conversing with her.
I learned she is in third class, perhaps 9 years old, one year elder than Joy, my eldest son.
I learned she is in third class, perhaps 9 years old, one year elder than Joy, my eldest son.
As I was asking questions and getting answers from her, I casually asked her, “What’s your dad doing?” Her voice went low and responded, "I don’t know."
I was a bit surprised and asked her again. She replied the same.
This time, not being casual, I questioned, "Don’t you talk to your dad?" She replied with all innocence manifesting on her face, "No."
My curiosity became intense and I asked, "Is your dad always serious?" She said with sadness, "Yes."
I again questioned, "Is he not friendly?" She said, "No."
After asking questions and listening to this little girl, my heart left that place with sadness.
Giving Ourselves to Children
Fathers, do we talk to our children? Are we friendly with them? Do they know us well and vice versa? Do we have fun time with them?
Of course, there is room for stern discipline and serious exhortation, but that’s not always required. I believe, a father ought to be both a teacher and a friend. Sadly, many children miss such fathers.
I am afraid at the advancement of our world, for it is robbing many fathers from their families. It is giving all the comforts in the sense of material things but stealing dads from giving their valuable time to their growing children.
I have learned that more than what we give to them, more than what we earn and store for them, more than what we claim of doing for them, what our children need is "us" (our presence and our conversation with them). There is no gift as great as giving ourselves to our children.
Children Desperately Need Us
I understand we men are so busy. There is always a lot for us to do. We have so many burdens to carry. There is so much we have to do for our family. However, don’t you think, our children are more important than the work we do and the money we earn?
Remember, we may lose job and get another one. We may lose money and earn again. But the time lost in spending with our growing children can never be retrieved.
We think, what our children always need is toys, television and electronic gadgets. The reason, I suppose, they seek for such things is because there is none to converse with them. The more we talk and spend time with children, the less they are drawn to such things.
Yes, our children need us. They desire us. They want our time. They love to talk to us and hear from us. They long to be hugged by us. Again, I emphasize, they need us, desperately. Can we give ourselves to them?
If we have been neglecting our children, having become too busy with our work and in daily activities, why can’t we take some time and talk to them today? We will make a difference in their lives, you bet!
My Decision
Well, the next day when I went to school, I abruptly met this cute little girl on the way. I stopped my vehicle by her side. She was surprised to see me again. I smiled and gave her a chocolate. Her excitement was shining all over her face.
I decided, I never want to see my children suffering from having a father who doesn’t take time to talk and walk with them.
What have you decided with your children?
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