Side by Side
Side by Side
One of His disciples, the one Jesus loved, was reclining close beside Jesus. (John 13:23)
Everyday Family
Nobody has more influence over your children than you do. As your kids grow, they watch you to develop their beliefs and value system. This means that being a good father doesn’t demand a ton of biblical wisdom and excellent speech-making skills (although both of those may help). Being a good father does mean taking an active role in your child’s life. Coaching a sports team, going fishing, teaching a hobby, or working on household chores together can go a long way to encourage emotional connectedness.
Being There
When John records the events of the Last Supper, he writes, “One of His disciples, the one Jesus loved, was reclining close beside Jesus.” This disciple was close enough to whisper into the Lord’s ear. The physical proximity of Jesus and John demonstrated the love they shared for each other.
In the same way, we show our kids love by being close to them. Kids desire to hang out with their fathers. They want to “recline close beside” you when you’re watching a movie. Often the little things make the biggest difference in parenting. Don’t hesitate to hug or wrestle playfully with your children. When you stay close to your kids, they’ll stay close to you. And if your teenage children try to push you away, hold them close anyway. They still need you even if they don’t always act like it.
Bottom Line
Stay close to your kids and they’re much more likely to stay close to you.