I get so busy sometimes that I begin to forget to listen to my children. Their daily interruptions can be very frustrating and there are times I just don’t want to have to listen to kid talk. Usually they are asking questions about silly things that don’t really interest me like “Where is that stick I found that looks like a snake?” or “Is the new Transformer movie rated G?” Or how about this one: “When do you think the neighbor kids are coming home from vacation so we can play?”. My answer to all of these types of questions is often “Your guess is as good as mine”. This is always an easy way out and makes it possible for me to avoid giving a well thought out answer. It works pretty good too! The only problem is that with each non-answer I give, there is a price. We begin to get more disconnected and I soon become a stranger to those I love the most.

As they grow and begin to think of other more important questions to ask about life, they may find other people to ask and will not come to me. Is that what I want? Absolutely not! It is not only a father’s duty to be intimately involved with every aspect of his children’s lives, it is his joy! Time passes too quickly Dads! Don’t short change your kids, even when you feel you are too busy with the “important things”. They won’t be in your home forever!

God shows us how to love our children through his love for us. He listens to all of our questions, and He knows us better than we know ourselves! He also has billions of children; I only have two. Thinking about His love for us kind of gives me a new perspective. Newell…. Olivia…… bring on those silly questions! If I don’t know the answer, we’ll find it together!