The importance of time in the home and with our children is illustrated by the following story.  A young father came home from work late, tired and irritated to find his 5-year old son waiting for him at the front door.  Here is the conversation.  Son, “Daddy, may I ask you a question?”  Dad, “Yea sure, what is it?”  Son, “Daddy, how much do you make an hour?”  Dad, “That’s none of your business.  Why do you ask?”  Son, “I just want to know.  Please tell me.”  Dad, “If you must know, I make $50 an hour.”  Son, “Oh, he replied with his head down.  Daddy, may I borrow $25?”  The father was upset and said, “If the only reason you asked is so that you can buy some silly toy, then march yourself straight up to your room.  Think about why you are being so selfish.  I don’t work hard all day for such childish frivolities.”  The little boy went quietly to his room and shut the door.  The father sat down and became more agitated at the little boy’s questions.  After an hour or so, the father calmed down and started to think.  Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with the $25 and he did not ask for money very often.  The father went to the door of the little boy’s room and opened it.  He asked, “Are you asleep son?”  Son, “No Daddy, I am awake.”  Dad, “I have been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you.  Here’s the $25 dollars you requested.”  “Oh thank you Daddy!” He yelled.  Then reaching under his pillow, he pulled out some crumpled up dollar bills.  The father saw the boy already had some money and started to get angry again.  The little boy slowly counted out his money and then looked up at his father.  The father grumbled, “Why do you want more money if you already have some?”  Son, “Because I didn’t have enough, but now I do.  Daddy, I now have $50.  Can I buy an hour of your time?  Can you come home an hour early tomorrow?  I would like to have dinner with you.” The father was crushed and heartbroken.  He put his arms around the little boy and begged for his forgiveness. 

This is a short reminder to all of us who work hard and have busy schedules.  We should never let time slip through our fingers without having spent time with those who really matter to us, those close to our heart.  How much is an hour of your time worth to your wife and children?  Is it more or less that $50 an hour?  Or, is it even available at any price?  The things of value in our lives require time – our families and our God.  Once an hour has passed, it cannot be relived and is gone forever.