Today, my nine-year-old son and I went on a hike through the woods to a pond on our neighbor’s property while my wife and four daughters went to do some Christmas shopping. We had a great time tromping through the woods, looking at the trees and interesting things we came across. One place pretty deep in the woods, we found a large rectangular piece of granite sticking about two feet out of the ground and buried deep enough that we couldn’t budge it. We had fun speculating why it was there. Was it an old property boundary marker? Was there an old building back there many, many years ago? My son wondered if it was a tombstone but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t. Yeah… pretty sure… We may never know, but it was fun sharing ideas. He also enjoyed telling everyone about it when they got back home later.
Our little adventure reminded me how easy it can be to create memories with our kids and how exciting even something simple can be for them. Its not always the big vacations, the expensive gifts, or the weeklong getaways. There’s nothing wrong with those things, of course, but dads, we shouldn’t neglect the easy, every-day opportunities to make memories with our kids. Each day we are investing in the legacy we will leave at the end of our life. Every day is also an opportunity to build a memory with your kids that they’ll share with their future children.
Spending time with your kids not only allows you to make memories, it also provides the opportunity to share the goodness of God with them. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 shares the importance of sharing God’s Word with our children at home, while taking a walk, when they’re going to bed, and in the morning when they’re getting ready for the day. Your investment as a father has the ability to impact your child during their lifetime and also for an eternity.
So dad, go create an adventure with your kids. Go on a hike, build a blanket fort in the living room, buy a cheap metal detector and find buried treasure (mostly trash), or even read a book. These times together will create memories they will carry for a lifetime and give you the opportunity to invest in their eternity.
CHALLENGE
What can you do this week to create a memory-moment with your kids?
SCRIPTURES
EQUIPPING MEN TO LIVE INTENTIONAL LIVES 