May 2007

“How to Save Time!”

Back in the "Olden Days" there was a song by Jim Croce that started. "If I Could Save Time In a Bottle." It talked about the marching of time in our lives and how it affected relationships. With our children, Shannon, Jenny and Michelle getting older and Sue and I now labeled grandma and grandpa, we are again faced with thinking about time and how it can slip through our fingers. The art of saving time and our influence is sometimes easier to sing about then to do. However, I think there is a biblical plan that just might work. It is time to invest in what matters. If we will think of investing time in our family relationships and personal friendships, we will continue to cherish and enjoy those relationships long after society says they should be over.

What is important to remember is that we must first invest the time when our children are young and living with us. Then at every stage of their life, we continue to invest time in ever changing and creative ways. At times we think that we have a small window of time to spend with them, but at every point of their lives they need to know that we love them unconditionally. They need to know how important they are to us. As they see our love, they will begin again to see God's love. The influence we have with our children is directly related to the time we invest.

Walt Mueller in his book titled Understanding Today's Youth Culture states, "The degree of influence that the world has on our children depends greatly on how involved we become in their lives. Media, peer groups, and a host of other influences are there to pick up the slack left by absent, busy or indifferent parents." Parents, you can have a major influence on your child. If fact, the role of parenting has never been as important as it is today. The dominant culture is shouting commands to our kids that are in opposition to all that God stands for. We must continue to take our place along side our children and give them direction. The words of scripture written so many years ago have not changed in their importance."

"And now a word to you fathers. Don't make your children angry by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord." Ephesians 6:4 New Living Translation

Or, in "The Message" paraphrase "Fathers, don't exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master."

Or the King James," And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."
No matter how you translate the verse, the word encourages us to spend time nurturing your family in God's way."

May and June are special family months. Confirmation, Mother's Day, Father's Day and Graduation Day all remind us of the important foundations of life that are laid in the home. Don't underestimate the impact that you make in the lives of children and youth. Don't invest so much in the things of the world like money, job, success, that the yield in what matters is spiking down. Today is a good time to begin again. Take a small step this week. Sit down and plan one family event that all can enjoy. It's a great time to once again connect with your family. Save time by investing in what matters.

Pastor Craig