The Daily Citizen, Dalton, GA

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June 21, 2010

Do you have time to be a fabulous father?

Gary Mimbs Dalton Daily Citizen

DALTON — As we honor fathers all around the world today I am convinced (as many other people are) that my dad was the best in the world. Oh, he made his share of mistakes but his stern discipline and “character building” projects that he designed for me helped me be the man I am today.

But the greatest gift that my dad gave me was the gift of time. He tried to make time for me and my brother and include us in whatever he was doing as well as including himself in what we were doing. I wish I had been more like him in that aspect when it came to raising my two sons.

I read about a little girl who drew a pretty picture. She went in her dad’s office, crawled on his lap, and said, “Daddy, come and see my picture.” And the dad said, “Not now, honey. Dad’s busy.” About 10 minutes later, she came back again. Crawled on his lap. And said,

“Daddy, will you come see my picture now?” And the dad got frustrated. And said, “Can’t you see I’m busy? Don’t bother me right now. I’ll come and look at your picture later. When I’m ready.”

A couple of hours later, the dad came out. And he said to the daughter, “Can I see the picture now?” And the girl said, “Sure.” And it was a picture of her and her brother and her mom standing on the lawn. With the family dog. With big smiles. On a sunny day. But the dad noticed that he wasn’t in the picture. And so the dad said, “That’s a nice picture, sweetheart. But how come I’m not in the picture?” And the girl said, “Because you’re working in your office, Daddy.”

The dad was crushed. Because it dawned on him that of the most loving and caring people in his daughter’s life, he wasn’t even in the picture!

Ephesians 6:4 says “Fathers, do not exasperate your children. Bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Fabulous fathers do not have confused priorities. They don’t put their work ahead of their family. They know that except for almighty God himself, the wife and the kids come first.

I was talking to a dad one time. And he said, “Gary, I wish I knew what God wanted me to do. I’m willing to do anything. I just don’t know what it is yet!” And I said to him, “How many kids do you have?” And he said, “Three.” And I said, “Well, that’s a ministry right there. You got your own portable youth group!” You know what Psalm 127:3 says? It says “children are a reward from God!” One of the greatest things a man can do is to raise up the next generation of young people for Jesus Christ.

I read a story about a Christian attorney. And he was talking about the influence of his father on his life. And he said that “The greatest gift my dad ever gave me was when I was a little boy. It was a small box. Inside the box was a note saying, “Son, this year I will give you 365 hours, an hour every day after supper. It’s all yours. We’ll talk about what you want to talk about. We’ll go where you want to go. Play what you want to play. It will be your hour.”

“My dad not only kept his promise,” the lawyer said, “but every year he renewed it. It is the greatest gift I ever had in my life. And I am the Christian man I am today because of my dad.” This father gave his son the greatest gift a father can give: The gift of time. Fabulous fathers don’t find time for their kids. They make time.

Now that my youngest son is about to leave home for college and my oldest son lives far away, my greatest regret is that I didn’t spend more time with them. Dads, if you have kids at home then please be a fabulous father by giving them the gift of time.

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