Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25
Not so many years ago, I found myself with too many commitments and too little time to meet them.
Although I thought I was the same happy-go-lucky, jovial husband and father I had always been, the family saw things differently. Big time differently.
My narrow focus on "stuff" didn't allow me to see how meals were being eaten on the run, how conversations were being confined to grunts, how minor interruptions became major irritants, and how everybody was tiptoeing around me.
How long this went on, I can't say. I can, however, tell you about the day things changed. It was my daughter who snapped me back to reality. Wanting to tell me how things had gone at school, very seriously she said, "Daddy, I'm gonna tell you somethin', but don't worry, I'll tell you really, really fast."
Her consideration for a problem which should have never been a problem hit me like a ton of bricks. It slowed me down. It also changed me.
On this Father's Day, there are a lot of dads who are probably making the same mistake I did. If you're not, don't worry, you're making mistakes of your own; which is why I encourage you to be changed.
On this Father's Day, join me in the resolve never to let work obligations and other life demands keep you from your most important job: being the Savior's representative to your wife and children. To love your family as Jesus loved you. That's what St. Paul told us to do. That's why their wellbeing, their future, their shaping, and their future should be a prime priority.
Remember, you're following Jesus; you're trying to love and lead the way He did.
Look at Him. See how He gave Himself for others. See His long lasting love and His ongoing care. See how He was willing to listen to His children when they came to Him in prayer.
From a devotion originally written for "By the Way"
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, the compassion You daily show me is an example of how I should treat my family and friends. Help me to never let the obligations of work and life's demands keep me from being a caring, Godly presence in the lives of my loved ones. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Today's Bible Readings: Proverbs 13-15 Acts 2:1-21
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