Ephesians 6:1 “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”  I saw a picture and caption this week on Facebook that struck me to the core.  It was a photo of too many families and children today.  It was a picture of a small child and the hands of a mother and a father both holding and looking at their cell phones.  This is what the small child said, “I wish I was their phone.  So they would hold me, look at me, listen to me and talk to me.”  My heart cried to see this picture of what is so common in our culture and homes today.  A father has the leadership responsibility to pay attention and to give attention to his children and his wife.  While I have an iPhone and use it all the time as my instant hand held computer and communication tool, I have to remember that it can so easily take away from personal interaction with those I love and lead. 

Yes, this was the picture of a small child who was too young for a cell phone and the neglect he was experiencing might make him never want one.  But the message is the same for children and family members of all ages.  Have we become so obsessed with technology that we no longer give undivided attention to those we love the most?  My wife and I recently sat in a restaurant and observed how many couples and families did not talk to each other because they were all looking at their cell phones.  Just observe this the next time you go to a restaurant.  But wait, what is the picture in your own home?  Men, team spirit starts at the top and it is your responsibility to set the tone and allowances for what happens.  Don’t be a wimp, but take action.  When my family has a meal together, we require that all cell phones be put away so that we can look at each other, listen to each other and talk to each other.  Jesus doesn’t give His attention to us on Facebook, texts, emails or twitter.  He speaks to us directly and personally.  This is how He holds us, looks at us, listens to us and speaks to us.  This is our example to follow.