yes

When you can always say yes

yes
Photo Credit: Joe Shlabotnik

I sure feel like I tell my kids no all the time; especially the teens.

“No you can’t stay at her house tonight.”

“No you can’t get on the internet tonight.”

“No it’s too late for caffeine.”

“No we don’t have money in the budget for Worlds of Fun this weekend.”

As often as I have to tell my girls no I better be ready to say yes when I get a chance.

Last Monday night Jessica walked up to me with volleyball in hand and asked me, “Do you want to play with me?”

I sprinted out the back door into the yard. I did not waste a single minute or thought. At this age it isn’t very often I get invited to an activity that isn’t math homework. A chance to laugh and play with my thirteen-year-old is a rare privilege, and it is a privilege I should never pass up. It’s a no-brainer to answer. There is no reason short of an impending trip to the ER that should keep me from a resounding yes.

It’s kind of like that with God don’t you agree?

So often He tells us no to our requests. Most of the time we don’t even get a reason. His responses to our requests for His time are always the same answer; He tells us yes.

For dads to really reflect the face of God we need to have the word “yes” on the tip of our tongues anytime our children ask for our attention.

Luke 15:20

So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

When we call out to God for attention He runs to be there by our side. We should do the same for our kids.

2 thoughts on “When you can always say yes”

  1. I long for a time when I always jump right up, like you did with Jessica, when God asks me to spend time with Him. Some days, or I should say some moments, are better than others. The time is always well spent so I’m not certain why there is reluctance at those moments sometimes.

    Yes, it is definitely rare when your kids want to spend time with you during those middle years, so jump when the chances come.

    1. For me, I let the immediate get in the way of the ultimate.

      When I wake up in the mornings the responsibilities of the day fill my head and it’s easy to lose track of what is most important.

Comments are closed.