Key Bible Verse: I have the highest confidence in you, and my pride in you is great (2 Corinthians 7:4). Bonus Reading: Colossians 2:1-5

When my oldest son was 11, we built a 3' x 4' bookcase to put his stereo and junk on. I'm a doofus at woodworking, but we measured, drew up plans, bought the wood, pulled out the tools, and got busy. The result sat next to his bed for six years. Unbeknownst to him, I'd written on the bottom: "Troy: You and I built this together on August 11, 1996. This note is to remind you that I'll always love you more than my life and be your biggest fan. Never forget that. Love, Dad."

In 2002, Troy moved into his own place, taking everything that's his. He hadn't noticed anything as he wedged the bookcase into his Subaru Outback for the one-hour drive to Denver. When we arrived at his place, we began unloading. His roommate noticed the writing on the bottom of the bookcase as he carried it into the house. "What's this?" he asked.

Troy came over. "What's what?"

"This writing." He began to read it out loud. I stopped in the hallway and watched Troy as he read it silently. The roommate filled the silence. "Uh-oh, Father-son hug moment." Troy smiled sheepishly as I walked over. His hug and that look were worth the wait.

—Greg Johnson in Dad's Everything Book for Sons

My Response: Something tangible from me to a child of mine could be …

Thought to Apply: I don't care how great, how famous or successful a man or woman may be, each hungers for applause. —GEORGE ADAMS (Newspaper columnist)

Adapted from Dad's Everything Book for Sons (Zondervan, 2003) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Lord, please help me become a motivator of others by the way I affirm, patiently challenge, and encourage them.

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