How’s your summer going?  My wife and I were laying in bed last night and she reminded me only a few more weeks are left until the kids start school back up.

That got me thinking…

Now would be a good time for us dads to consider how much time we’ve spent with our children this summer, and how important it is to them that we do.

How much personal time have you given to each of your children since they’ve been on summer break?

Has it been minimal, or have you intentionally put your work and personal interests on hold so that you can be in your child’s world?

Have you spent time reading together? Talking together? Gone on walks, hikes, bike rides? Taken a family vacation together? Gone swimming together? Taken your daughter out on dates? Gone fishing, canoeing, or a myriad of other fun outdoor activities with your son?

The list of ways to spend one-on-one time with our children is only limited by our creativity — and level of intentionality.

I read this quote recently… “The thing our children need most is often in the shortest supply — our time.”

They don’t care or need the “stuff” that a good paying job with long hours can provide. Children of all ages spell love T-I-M-E.  And time with dad is unrivaled in their mind.

Now before you begin this mental review of your summer schedule, watch a short video we’ve posted on the FamilyDads website. It has a powerful ending, so be sure and watch it to the very end.

Then take some time THIS WEEK to determine how you can give each one of your children, AND your wife, more of your time.

Here’s the video–

http://familydads.com/blog/?p=250

Be sure and watch this video to the end. It has a powerful ending and convicting message to fathers.

“I love you son. I’m proud of you.”

Did you hear these words from your dad when you were growing up? If your dad is still alive, do you hear them from him now as an adult?

If you have a son, do you say these words to him? Very often?

Do you ever proclaim these words publicly about your son where both he and other men hear you?

“I love you son. I’m proud of you.”

In the New Testament of the Bible, there are only 3 recorded instances where God audibly spoke from heaven. Did you know that 2 of these 3 instances are God the Father communicating this very message to His Son Jesus?

At Jesus’ baptism, a voice from heaven spoke audibly to those who were present saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17, Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22)

At the mount of transfiguration, God again spoke, this time from a cloud, saying “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. Hear him.” (Matthew 17:5, Mark 9:7, Luke 9:35, 2 Peter 1:17-18)

These are incredibly powerful and affirming words that boys and men of all ages long to hear — need to hear — from their father. It was important for God the Father to communicate this on more than one occasion audibly to His Son Jesus and those who were present. It was important for Jesus to hear these words audibly from His Father.

Likewise, it is important that we fathers speak these words audibly to our sons.

“I love you son. I’m proud of you.”