Hold on Tight
Those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
1 Corinthians 4:2
A mother at a church where I (JCD) was a guest speaker told me tearfully that her husband had recently divorced her, devastating her two sons. “They miss their daddy every day,” she said. “They don’t understand why he doesn’t come to see them. The older boy, especially, wants a father so badly that he reaches for every man who comes into our lives.”
The next morning I spoke again at their church. The same mother and her boys greeted me after the service, and I shook the older boy’s hand. Then something happened that I was not fully aware of at the time—the boy did not let go of my hand! He gripped it tightly, preventing me from welcoming others around us. To my regret, I unconsciously grasped his arm with my other hand and pulled myself free. Only later did I remember and realize how desperately this lad needed a man in his life.
Dad, your sons and daughters will often reach for your hand in the years ahead. When they do, I urge you to hold on tight! This is doubly true if you are divorced or separated. Now more than ever, your children need assurance of a love that “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres”…and “never fails” (>1 Corinthians 13:7–8).
Before you say good night…
- In what ways do your kids “reach” for you?
- What are the biggest challenges of being a single dad?
- What is toughest about being the child of a single dad?
- What specific things can you do to reassure your kids that you’ll always be there for them?
Dear God, no matter what our family circumstances, let us never waver from our charge as parents! Please forgive us for so often failing our children and You. Help us to be worthy ofYour trust in us to lead and love our kids. Amen.
Listen to today's broadcast of Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk at OnePlace.com. For more from Dr. Dobson, visit the resource center at drjamesdobson.org.
This devotional is taken from Night Light for Parents. Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.