Do you remember way back, about four or five weeks ago, when spring sports were about to start up, college basketball’s March Madness was in the air and professional baseball’s opening day was around the corner? The kids were in school and the calendar was chock-full of extra-curricular activities. No more!

In a time such as this, what deserves our focus? One dad said it took about a week and a half to establish a routine where the three kids, all different ages, would stay with the online classwork while he worked remotely from home. He started getting up earlier to do a couple hours of work before taking a break to fix breakfast for the family. He then would work in an early afternoon break to get some time outside with the kids. And, for the first time in a long time, the family is eating dinner together every night. A time such as this is providing an opportunity for dads to focus in on right priorities.

And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this? – Esther 4:14. These were words from Mordecai, Esther’s uncle, who had taken her in as a daughter when she was orphaned. As queen, she had an opportunity to approach the king and request he rescind the order to annihilate the Jews across the country. Her sensitivity to the situation beyond the comforts of her life as queen, and the willingness to stand in the gap for her people reflected a life grounded in right priorities with her father-figure, Mordecai. Today, many of us have realized how caught up we have been in the day-to-day and week-by-week busy-ness and how that has come to define us. With much of that stuff taken away, there is an opportunity. And who knows but that the busy-ness has been shut down for a time such as this, a time to get priorities straight.

Tips for Dads for a TIME such as this:

• Establish a routine, manage the schedule and assign responsibilities;
• Lead spiritual discussion in family – click HERE for discussion starters;
• Enjoy meals together as a family, encourage dialogue with open-ended questions; 
• Limit time on the computer and with various media, including news & video games;
• Raise the bar personally as a dad – click HERE for Dad’s Armor, Dads Becoming Heroes or Nehemiah Initiative studies;
• Initiate a family game night – bring back the board games and puzzles;
• Reach out and call a friend or family member that is isolated.

Prayer guide: Lord, thank You for Your word and for this unique time of physical presence together in family. The realization to the level of conformance to this world that I have allowed myself and family to get caught up in is amazing. Forgive me. Equip me in a time such as this to use this window of bonus time together to raise the bar for engaging emotionally and leading spiritually in family. Grant me patience in this new routine, strength to rebuke frustrations and discipline to reflect Your Light with a new level of emotional engagement and spiritual leadership in family. That is the dad You call me to be, and that is the dad the next generation needs to see. Amen.

A faithful father is emotionally engaged and leads spiritually in a time such as this.