Which of the following could you get along fine without over the next 12 months? [all that apply]
A newer vehicle
A different job
A new home theater
A higher profile volunteer job
A larger house
A raise
An upgraded wardrobe
More paraphernalia for my hobby/sport
A promotion
A larger savings account
Count ´Em Theme of the Week: Soft Touch? Friday, April 2, 2004
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Men of IntegrityMarch/April 2004Count &´ EmTheme of the Week: Soft Touch?Friday, April 272
Key Bible Verse: "This is my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with him" (Matthew 3:17). Bonus Reading:Psalm 37:23–24
Your child needs a sense of personal worth. Fathers can communicate this in many ways.
One Sunday I was invited to speak to the San Diego Chargers in their pre-game chapel. I took my son Sean, and after chapel we found our seats in the stadium. The team had given us seats down front, near the 50-yard line! Fifty thousand spectators filled the stadium; the roar was deafening.
I put my arm around my son and said, "Look at all these people, Buddy." Sean turned 360 degrees in his seat to see everyone, especially those way up high. To those 10-year-old eyes it looked like the whole world was there.
"Wow, Dad," Sean exclaimed, "that's a lot of people!"
"Yes, it is. But you know what? You mean more to me than all these people put together. Son, what you think of me as your dad means more to me than the opinion of all fifty thousand people!"
Sean's eyes grew big. Again he surveyed the entire stadium. "Really, Dad?" he exclaimed, "More than all of them?" He jumped on my lap, feeling secure and significant. At that moment, Sean knew he counted with me.
—Josh McDowell in The Father Connection
My Response: My children know they are valued parts of our family because …
Thought to Apply: Praise is well, compliment is well, but affection
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