Make Time to Guide While You Strive to Provide

The Greatest Gift Your Children Need Isn't More Things—It's More of Your Time

Psalms 127:3-4 TPT

Children are God’s love-gift; they are heaven’s generous reward. Children born to a young couple will one day rise to protect and provide for their parents.

One of our priorities as parents is to give our children the best life we can aford.

That's why many mothers get up before the crack of dawn to prepare for work. While fathers work overtime to cover the bills. Some parents even juggle two jobs and others build businesses, hoping to give their children opportunities they never had.

All motivated by love.

We want our children to live in safe neighborhoods, attend good schools, wear clean clothes, and never have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. These desires are all honorable because God gave us calling to care for the needs of our families. Personally, I do believe many parents are doing a great job at this.

But, while many of us are working hard to accomplish this, We cannot ignore this question.

Who or what is helping to shape our children's hearts?

A child can grow up in a beautiful home yet feel emotionally alone. They may have every electronic device, every toy, and every opportunity money can buy, yet might quietly long for something far more valuable—the undivided attention of a parent.

God Never Intended Parents Be Providers Only

From the very beginning, God established parents as more than caregivers. He entrusted them with the sacred assignment of nurturing the hearts of the next generation.

Moses reminded Israel:

"These words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up."

— Deuteronomy 6:6–7 (NKJV)

Notice how personal and intentional God made this instruction .

Teaching/ discipling doesn't happen accidentally. It happens while sitting together, walking together, eating together, and ending the day together. God's Truth requires impartation.

• God's classroom has always been the home.

• Children Spell Love T-I-M-E

• Children rarely measure love by the size of a paycheck.

Instead, they remember the parent who listened without rushing.

• The bedtime stories.

• The prayers before school.

• The hugs after difficult days.

• The family dinners filled with laughter.

• The conversations during a drive home.

These ordinary moments become extraordinary memories. Long after expensive gifts have been forgotten, children often remember the simple evenings when Mom or Dad made them feel seen, heard, and deeply loved.

Presence Is a Powerful Teacher

Children are always learning. Not simply from what parents say, but from what they consistently do, their actions and interactions. Their reactions and responses.

Paul instructed fathers:

"And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord."

— Ephesians 6:4 (NKJV)

• Training requires presence.

• Encouragement requires conversation.

• Correction requires relationship.

• Discipleship requires time.

It is now evident that no school, church, coach, or youth leader can fully replace the influence God has anointed each parent to have.

Jesus Never Rushed People

Although Jesus carried the greatest mission in history, He never allowed His schedule to prevent Him from caring for people.

Jesus demonstrated that people are always more important than possessions, schedules, or success.

When others considered children an interruption, Jesus welcomed them.

"Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God."

— Mark 10:14 (NKJV)

If our Savior made time for children, should we not do the same? The truth is :

• Providing Isn't the Same as Parenting

• Providing for your family is an act of love.

• Guiding your family is an act of discipleship.

One meets physical needs. The other shapes eternal lives.

Children need parents who will answer difficult questions, pray through disappointments, celebrate victories, admit mistakes, ask for forgiveness when needed, and model what it looks like to be submitted to Christ.

These are moments that cannot be purchased.

They must be created.

While it is true that most parents cannot simply work less because, responsibilities are real, and bills must still be paid.

Although, My goal is intentional, it is definitely not meant to create a guilt trip. What I am saying is simply this. Perhaps it this lifestyle change means:

• Putting our phone away during dinner , to simulate more verbal interactions.

• Reading one Bible story before bedtime, instead of a popular fairytale.

• Praying together before school, to impart the assurance needed to face their day

• Scheduling one evening each week for uninterrupted family time, to promote a tighter bond of love and unity.

• Taking a walk after dinner.

• Asking one meaningful question each day:

"Tell me about the best and hardest part.

of your day."

Small moments, repeated consistently, build lifelong relationships.

The Legacy That Matters Most

Years from now, our children may not remember every birthday gift or every vacation.

Again I emphasize- But they will remember whether they felt loved.

They will remember our prayers.

They will remember our faith.

They will remember whether home felt safe.

Most of all, they will remember whether or not we pointed them toward Jesus and shared what we are experiencing in our relationship with Him.

King David declared,

"One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts."

— Psalm 145:4 (NKJV)

Let this be our heart's decree for our families.

As parents, we are not simply raising children.

We are shaping future husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, pastors, teachers, missionaries, and leaders etc.

Our greatest investment is not found in our careers, our savings accounts, or our possessions. It is found in the hearts of our children and those we nurture or mentor

So let us continue to work diligently as provide faithfully But let's never allow the pursuit of making a living to keep us from creating and guarding a life with those God whom has entrusted to our care.

The truth be told - one day, your children will not remember how many hours we worked.

They will remember how many moments we shared with them.

And those moments may become the greatest inheritance we ever leave. As I am writing this I am experiencing very graphic memories of the ring games my sister's and I played with our dad in our childhood years.

A Final Thought from DabaR™

I challenge us today to truthfully respond to these questions:

• Am I giving my children my presence or only my provision?

• What memories am I creating that will point them toward Christ?

• What one change can I make this week to become more intentionally present?

A Prayer for Parents

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for trustingme enough to bless me with.( Put your child’s name here) Give me wisdom to balance the responsibilities of providing for this family as I seek to remain present to guide their hearts. Help me never become so busy making a living that I forget to invest in what matters most. Teach me to model Your love, speak Your Word, and create homes where our children will grow to know, love, and follow You Lord Jesus. May the legacy we leave be one of faith, grace, and unwavering devotion to You.

In the name of Jesus, Amen

It is found in the hearts of our ch