She was cast as the lead in her 2nd grade musical production. Her passion for singing and performing had been on display from an early age so the little girl was excited about the opportunity to be on stage. She enjoyed everything about the rehearsals after school. There was no complaining about the extra work. Finally, the night of the performance came, her debut on stage and her dad missed it. He was on a business trip.
I encourage all dads and moms to use the start of the school year as a time to discuss and plan out the calendar. Log in the key events and activities you know about, birthdays and anniversaries as well as necessary business travel. Use technology so all have access to the same calendar. It is not possible to get everything logged in. There will be additions and last-minute changes but with intentionality, the schedule can be managed to minimize conflicts. One dad was even able to change his business travel primarily to mid-week so he could make the majority of games and performances his kids had on the calendar. That is managing the schedule around right priorities.
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:1-2. Did you see that it is not just sin that entangles us in this world but also every encumbrance – that is everything we burden ourselves with, and grant power to, that can divert our eyes from right priorities. Prioritizing physical presence is one of the key responsibilities a dad has. Our Father thought enough of physical presence to send His Son to walk this earth in order to reconnect what got disconnected in the Garden of Eden, relationship with Him. To follow His example, a dad needs to prioritize physical presence to stay connected in relationship with his kids. Manage the schedule with eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
On the night of the performance, a high school kid agreed to record the production as part of a class project. Mom had arranged this because it had become commonplace for the dad to miss events due to travel for business. The dad did get to sit down with his daughter and watch her production. When it was over, he hugged her and told her how proud he was of her. She said, “I wish you could have been there Dad.”
In the course of life, there are seemingly many opportunities to affirm and encourage kids in their unique giftedness. The word is to not let any encumbrance rob you of such an opportunity.
Prayer guide: Lord, thank You for marriage and family, Your design for raising godly offspring. Too often I have let other forces divert my eyes from right priorities. Forgive me. Strengthen me to lay aside every encumbrance and sin at work to control my time. Help me manage the schedule well with my eyes focused on You. I accept responsibility to lead by example as a faithful father, to prioritize my physical presence and pass the baton of faith well to the next generation. Amen.
A faithful father manages the schedule to prioritize his physical presence.
She was cast as the lead in her 2nd grade musical production. Her passion for singing and performing had been on display from an early age so the little girl was excited about the opportunity to be on stage. She enjoyed everything about the rehearsals after school. There was no complaining about the extra work. Finally, the night of the performance came, her debut on stage and her dad missed it. He was on a business trip.
