"'Daddy, how much do you make an hour?' With a timid voice and
idolizing eyes, the little boy greeted his father as he returned from
work.

"Giving his boy a glaring look, the father said: 'Look, Son, don't
bother me now, I'm tired.'

"'But, Daddy, just tell me please! How much do you make an hour?'
the boy insisted.

"The father, finally giving up, replied: 'Ten dollars an hour.'

"'Okay, Daddy. Could you loan me five dollars?' the boy asked.

"Showing his restlessness and positively disturbed, the father
yelled: 'So that was the reason you asked how much I earn, right? Go
to sleep and don't bother me anymore!'

"It was already dark and the father was meditating on what he said
and was feeling guilty. Maybe, he thought, his son wanted to buy
something. Finally, trying to ease his mind, the father went to his
son's room. 'Are you asleep, son?' asked the father.

"'No, Daddy. Why?' replied the boy, partially asleep.

"'Here's the money asked for earlier,' the father said.

"'Thanks, Daddy!' rejoiced the son, while putting his hand under
his pillow and removing some money. 'Now I have enough! Now I have ten
dollars! Daddy, could you sell me one hour of your time?'"

As a father, this story hits me hard. It is so easy to get
involved in providing for the family and doing "good things" for others
that my family ends up being neglected. We sometimes think that what
will make our children happiest is to have more "things", when what they
really want, what they desire more than anything else, is just a bit of
our time.

"Children's children are the crown of old men, and the glory of
children is their father." (Prov. 17:6)

Heavenly Father, as we stand aware of your constant presence, help
us to learn from you to be the kind of fathers we should be to our
children. Help us to never grow so "busy" that we fail to have time for
those you have entrusted into our special care. In Jesus' name, amen.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee
www.TFTD-online.com