Over the weekend I took a few youth to the Judgement House. If you want to hear my thoughts on that please ask but there was a piece of that experience that reminded me of what I have been saying over the last couple years. "When you see how much time you have left, you tend to do more with the time you have now." We are only given a certain number of weeks and days with our children. We have the opportunity to either invest in them or to waste away our time. There is a song called "Live Like You Were Dying." I wonder what our world would be like, what our churches would be like, how our bank accounts would look if we all lived like we are going to die soon. Over my years of ministry I have sat with parents who were begging God for just one more day with their child. They would give anything to have more time. They see how much time is left and are treasuring the moments. One particular family asked their child what they wanted to do before they died. Made a list. And they checked each thing off one by one. There was no consideration of how their employers would respond. There was no "when I get off work we will do something." They didn't have to wait for a vacation time to come up. They just went. The child's list was sweet and simple. And as I examined this list it was evident that this dying child just wanted what every other child wants. Time. Wanted to be able to spend time with his family. Unconditional time. No phones. No TV. No work. No friends coming and interrupting. Just them.
Almost every problem can be solved with time. If your child is whining, grumpy or angry all the time. Give them one on one time each day. About an hour if possible. Even 20 minutes would be good. And this is time with just them. No other children. No other friends. Just them. It isn't easy to do. And you will have interruptions sometimes but your child will greatly improve their behavior.
Some of you might already do this. Some of you might be trying to do this and are having trouble finding the time. Some of you may be reading this and are thinking you do it but really don't. Some people never got past the first line of this blog. This week I want you to focus on your calendar. Watch the clock. Not for your job. Not for when your favorite TV show comes on. But for your children. Make time for them that isn't taking them to their sporting events and doing homework. Both of which are important. However, find time where you can sit with your child. Listen to them. Hear their concerns, their struggles, their joys and their dreams.
Having trouble starting that conversation? Ask them three questions, how are you doing? how is your walk with God? what are you going to do about it?
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