I was at Espresso Bay drinking my favorite the Elite Dark Roast and counseling a dear friend about the many challenges of parenting. He has three daughters and one of them had him at his wit’s end.
I normally do not answer my cell phone when I’m talking with others, but I did that Wednesday morning.
I answered with my cheerful, “Hello this is Tim!” but all I could hear was weeping on the other end. I was shocked to hear the fitful crying of a young child. The tiny voice between tearful breaths declared, “Pastor Tim my mom and dad are yelling at each other!” That is all that he was able to say but he said so much more. He said “Help!!!” His words expressed “Please do something; make them stop!”
I listened as the child weep. I could hear the angry words of rage in the background. Lovers that had once declared their endless love were now cussing each other with bitterness and hostility.
My heart bursts as I think on that awful moment. I was sharing the pain of a broken child and I felt totally helpless and feeble in my attempt to comfort him.
So I’m declaring to every dad, father, grand-dad or a want-to-be future father. I have the perfect gift for your kids!! It will last a lifetime! It will have both earthy and eternal value. It will create peace and security in their lives! They will forget that Wii but they will bless you at your grave for this gift.
The greatest gift to give your kids is to love their mom! Make her the love of your life! Treat her as a gift from God!
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