A Perfect Day
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GROWING DOWN
to help us "giants" adopt the humility of a
little child and grow down, so that we fit the
little door of the kingdom.
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A
young father arranged to go home from work a little early one day so he
could spend time with his six-year-old son. This boy loves baseball.
They played catch for 20 minutes. Then they went to the soccer field to
watch the boy's brother practice. After the practice, they all went home
to eat and spend the evening with the rest of the family. His dad tucked
the boy in at bedtime. The dad prayed and his son followed with "God, I
got to play catch with my Dad, and go watch soccer practice. Thank you
for a perfect day. Amen."
His father said later, "I cried. It seemed like I had done so little,
and yet that's all it took to make a day perfect for him." Sometimes I,
too, think I have to do something big to have a large impact on a family
member. However, this man helped create a perfect day for his son with
a small time investment and almost no money. Yet these small things did
not just happen.
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He is fortunate to have a job that allows him some flexibility, so he arranged
to get off work early. It was worth it because he exchanged work that would
still be there for him to do the next day for an unforgettable moment with
his son that would not.
Because of his son's passion for baseball, he made sure they played catch.
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He heightened a sense of family when they went together to see the boy's
brother practice soccer.
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And last of all he tucked his son into bed and had prayer with him. Perfect
days like this for children and parents create a closer, stronger family
that can weather imperfect days ahead.
I learned from this dad that I feel more kindly towards my work if I take
the initiative to keep control of it. I learned from this child to remember
to thank the Lord for those perfect days that come now and then. This dad
learned from his little boy's prayer of joy and gratitude that he, the
dad, has more power and influence than he ever imagined. So do I. So do
you.
Paul Welter has recareered after a long tenure at the University
of Nebraska at Kearney. He still teaches "Learning from Children" there
and leads seminars. Paul's radio show airs especially for farmers and truckers
on several midwest stations. He also consults with businesses and organizations
in the area of work-weariness.
Paul's book, Learning
from Children is available from FAW.
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