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Key Bible Verses: "In my early years the friendship of God was felt in my home. … My children were around me" (Job 29:4–5). Bonus Reading: Jeremiah 6:16–21

I was talking with a professional man about his job, one with a lot of out-of-state travel. "The first 10 to 12 years after the kids were born, my work took me away quite a bit," Roy began. "My wife was really good about it, and she did a great job of raising our three kids. When they hit early adolescence, however, it suddenly dawned on me that I'd missed out on a great deal. After much reflection, I did something I never thought I could do: I quit that high-paying job. Then I went out and found a new job that would keep me close to home. But despite all I did, it was too late.

"No matter how hard I tried to put myself back into my kids' lives, it didn't work. They'd adjusted to the point where having Dad around wasn't necessary. Seven years later," Roy concluded, "we're a little happier, but nothing like I wish it could be. I missed my chance; now it's too late."

It's as if you're the manager of the New York Yankees, but you don't arrive at the ballpark until the seventh inning. You'll find the players and coaches playing the game without you. We're only given a short time with our children, and the best years to get them on our team are when they're young.

—Greg Johnson in "Daddy's Home"

My Response: What adjustments do I need to make before it's too late?

Thought to Apply: Earning a living is one aspect of fathering. … But concentrating on this to the exclusion of others becomes … an escape. —Myron Brenton (writer)

Adapted from "Daddy's Home" (Tyndale, 1992) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Heavenly Father, help me carve out the time to be a good earthly father.

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