Family Time

Family

Time

Time, you have to spend it

You cannot save it

Yesterday is gone

Time is no respecter of persons

We all have ways of measuring time

As parents it may be a height chart on the wall

To see how much our children have grown over time

Today Facebook records our phone photos

And even programs them to pop up on our Facebook Wall

As parents and grandparents we must be deliberate with Family Time

Family Time changes like seasons in a year

We plan and prepare for the changing of the season

So we need to know the seasons in our children’s lives

In order to make the most of our Family Time

Because before you know it the seasons turn into years

And time has passed

Time

Time, you have to spend it.

You cannot save it.

Yesterday is gone.

Time is no respecter of persons.

We all have ways of measuring time.

As parents, it may be a height chart on the wall to

see how much our children have grown over time.

Today Facebook records our phone photos and

even programs them to pop up on our Facebook Wall.

That is so much easier than getting out the

old slide projector, 8mm films with no sound,

VCR’s and photo albums where the pictures

have yellowed and fall off the page.

If you are a person who is always late, you know

how easy it is for time to get away from you.

  

I am not sure when the term “Family Time” was coined,

 but it was a big deal when Sandy and I were raising our kids.

It was a big buzz word with our friends in the church.

It seemed our grandparents 100 years ago

(it seems strange to think my grandparents

were kids then) had lots of Family Time.

The family ate together at the table,

 the family worked together to fix the meal.

Quite houses without all the electronics greatly

reduced the competition for family interaction.

Those times have changed…

 We saw it coming as we raised our children

School, sports, movies, than

later computers and the internet.

We realized “Family Time” had to be structured…

 The pressure of work for both parents and the

overwhelming burden for the single parent to keep up.

Family Time is still a term we hear today.

It seems we know if we don’t plan it,

it won’t happen.

Although Family Time can be spontaneous

with little thought, Family Time needs planning.

Dear friends of ours planned a trip once a year.

The trip was a two day event where they

had one goal, to talk about their children.

They discussed the things

their children were involved in.

The development of giftings and talents.

The time they spent together was a time

of prayer for each one of their children.

The objective was as parents to set

the next years goals for each child.

I was always impressed with their little

get away to focus in prayer on their family.

I remember taking my daughters

at a very young age to the circus.

I thought this would be a super family night.

I soon realized Sarah and Julie didn’t know I was there.

It was a real eye opener for me that although

the circus was great, it did not afford the

bonding and communication I had hoped for.

Family Time can include a lot of things

 but remember the main purpose.

Like bonding, it is amazing how life can challenge

the bond especially when our children become teens.

If our purpose is love and affection…

 Our children will need to see the time spend brings

joy to their heart and not just something we want to do.

Communication…

 Without it you have nothing.

 Keep the lines of communication always flowing.

Be careful of how you react, because children perceive

what they can talk about and what they keep secret.

  

Jesus said…

 “Let your good works be seen before men

that they may glorify your Father in Heaven”

What you model is so important.

 The respect your children have for you

and for God rests on what you model.

How you produce the Fruit of the Spirit…

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Galatians 5:22-23

Being a grandparent,

 I am still working on Family Time.

I get tired more than I use to.

I don’t handle the noise as well.

I find it just as challenging or more

challenging having the Family Time.

Not that we do not spend time with our family,

 but discerning the needs and how to impart wisdom.

I am so glad Sandy and I make praying

together every night a priority in our marriage.

It helps us be on time in season and out of season.

As you spend time with your children or

grandchildren what is the most important

thing you can be doing with them?

   The answer to that question will change…

Just like the seasons of the year change.

We plan and prepare for the changing of the season.

So we need to know the seasons in our children’s lives

in order to make the most of our Family Time.

Because before you know it…

 The seasons turn into years.

And time has passed!

Scripture Reading

Ecclesiastes 3:1-12 NIV

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven:

2 a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3 a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

6 a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7 a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8 a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

9 What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.