Founded by Bryant Wright, Right from the Heart is a
daily injection of truth, reminding you about what
matters most in life. Basically, we cut the fluff and
get right to the point.
Cat's In The Cradle Nov 06 2008
"Fathers, don't make your children bitter about life. Instead, bring them up in Christian discipline and instruction." - Ephesians 6:4
Perhaps the most common lie from which we all suffer is the belief that there is plenty of time to focus on relationships that count. The tragic reality is that is rarely the case. Harry Chapin's classic ballad follows a man who is just too busy to enjoy his son growing up. He loves his child, for sure, but just like many of us he feels he must focus on his work and goals and life - for the good of the family, no doubt. On the boy's tenth birthday, the boy begs his father to go in the backyard and play catch with the ball and glove he had just given him. "Not today, got a lot to do," was the response. But the boy seemed to understand. And as he watches the father he idolizes walk away, the boy smiles and vows that "I'm gonna be like him, yeah, you know I'm gonna be like him."
Many years pass, the father has retired, and the boy now has a family of his own. Dad calls and asks to see him. "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time. You see, my new job's a hassle and kids have the flu. But it's sure nice talking to you, Dad," is the reply. "It's sure nice talking to you." Dad realizes that his son's wish has been fulfilled, and "He'd grown up just like me. My boy was just like me."
Time cannot be postponed, only lost. The time to nurture relationships is today.
Share
1-MinuteDaily Devotions
You are reading a Daily Devotion from Right From The Heart. We invite you to comment, forward it to a friend, and subscribe to the daily email or RSS feed.
Subscribe to the Daily Devotion
We send out the devotion terribly early every morning. Enter your email address to get on the list.
Recent Devotions
| Wed, Feb 08 | Going From a Desire to Get to a... (3) |
| Tue, Feb 07 | Think You Got Away With It? (2) |
| Mon, Feb 06 | The Bible Always Withstands... (13) |
| Sun, Feb 05 | Don't Be A Fool! (4) |
| Sat, Feb 04 | Healthy Relationships (7) |
| Fri, Feb 03 | The Leader You Were Born To Be (8) |
| Thu, Feb 02 | Meeting Life's Challenges |
6 Comments
If you think this comment should be removed because it is mean spirited, compromises someone's privacy, or is SPAM, then let us know.
Yes, report it NevermindOUCH!! Boy that sure hit me between the eyes. I have been in buisness for myself since my children was small, and then when I started Pastoring I became bivocational. I allways had to work because we needed the money to make both ends of life come together, or so I thought this is what I needed to do. My point is this, I missed almost everything my children did while they were growing up. I wished now that I had done things different, my children are grown and I now have grandchildren. I am correcting my mistake of not being there when my children grew up, and I am trying to be there for them while my grandchildren are growing up. I know this doesn't seem fair but it is a start. Besides it is true what is said about grandchildren-- They are GRAND.
Have a blessed day.
If you think this comment should be removed because it is mean spirited, compromises someone's privacy, or is SPAM, then let us know.
Yes, report it NevermindJerry, Ditto. Grandchildren are such a beautiful "second chance". The extra blessing is that in giving time to my grandchildren, I am regaining time with my adult child. It's never too late to tell your children you love them more than anything in the world. Loving their children is one way of doing that (and it's so much fun too!). I'm going to go telephone each of my five grown kids now.
Have a blessed day.
If you think this comment should be removed because it is mean spirited, compromises someone's privacy, or is SPAM, then let us know.
Yes, report it NevermindI loved how Harry Chapin could tell a story in song, and you could learn a lot from "Cat's in the Cradle". I'm so thankful that I am able to spend time with my kids now, while they still want to spend time with me. There's an earlier verse in the song that I find is even more poignant.
"Well, he came home from college just the other day, so much like a man I just had to say: Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while? He shook his head and said with a smile: What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys, See you later, can I have them please?"
If you think this comment should be removed because it is mean spirited, compromises someone's privacy, or is SPAM, then let us know.
Yes, report it NevermindI echo the rest of you and as a nurse, I encourage families to not miss a day they can talk to their children, parents and family. I see daily, life taken quickly and then it's over. Time we can never regain but as all of you have said. It's never too late to start. I missed two years of my childrens lives while going to nursing school. I will regret that forever but they assure me I missed noting and they never felt neglected.
Grandchildren !!!! I just thought I loved my own :) Nothing like them, it is pure unconditional love, loving pure unconditional love !
Have a blessed and love filled day
If you think this comment should be removed because it is mean spirited, compromises someone's privacy, or is SPAM, then let us know.
Yes, report it Nevermindbeautiful.
If you think this comment should be removed because it is mean spirited, compromises someone's privacy, or is SPAM, then let us know.
Yes, report it NevermindJenny, I never would have thought I would not get upset when my children either spit up on me or pooped and it ran out of their diaper onto me but I made it thru all of that. Now it is even funny when my grandchildren does it. Life sure is funny, isn't it. God bless everyone.