Parenting Devotional

Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.
Mark 6:31, NLT
Many families need to heed the traffic sign that reads, “Slow down and live.” That’s pretty good advice for family living. Have you ever stopped to ask yourself, “Why am I going a breakneck speed? Why am I killing myself like this?” On one occasion, Jesus advised some rest and solitude for his disciples after a rather hectic time. He said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” The fact is we need to come apart with our family or our family will come apart.

Healthy families view time as a controllable resource, needing the same attention that money does. They set priorities and budget time for family activities. They know that the family that prays together and plays together stays together.

One night a young son came to his father who was in his bed almost asleep. “What do you want, son?” he asked.

“Nothing, Daddy,” he said. “I want to crawl in beside you and talk a little.”

The father pulled the covers back, and in he came. He snuggled there in silence a short time and then said, “Daddy, it was fun holding your hand in front of that lion’s cage.”

“It sure was,” answered the father. “Were you scared?”

“Just a little bit,” he replied.

After another short time of silence the son said, “We really had a good time together today, didn’t we, Daddy?”

“We sure did,” the father said.

And that was all. The son quickly went to his room while the father was reminded of the importance of taking time to be together as a family.

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