Christian Family Life

I heard a story about a father who worked a lot about 70 hours per week. He thought he was doing what he was supposed be doing, providing a great living for his family.

While working from home one Saturday his daughter asked him if he would play with her for a while. He said "maybe in a half hour honey I am pretty busy right now." Sure enough his daughter came back 30 minutes later and asked him again. This time the dad said, "I am almost done I just need a few more minutes honey." But first he noticed a copy of a USA Today with a picture of the World on it. He quickly cut it up and told her to put the puzzle back toghether thinking it would take her another 30 minutes or so. About 5 minutes later the little girl came back with it all taped together perfectly." Daddy I am done she said can we play now?" The dad said," how did you do that so fast?" The little girl said "well on the back side of the world was a family and all I had to do was put the family back together again and the world came together perfectly!"

This was a great reminder that family is more important to me than work. Having a balanced life is very important. If we just remember how short life is and how quickly our kids grow up and then move out we would all make it a point to spend more quality time each day with our family.

God bless, Dan Chapman

For all of us finding a balance between work and family at times can be hard. As a Christian husband, father and Entrepreneur I understand that it is important to make sure that I put my relationship with God first and foremost. But family time is extremely important too. At the same time we have to make sure we get our work done on time as we have to provide an income for our family.

I would encourage you to either start your morning in the word or reading a good Christian book that helps you grow in your walk with the Lord. I typically do that and then take the kids to school as my wife usually picks them up. I work from home so that makes it easier too. If you are not a morning person then spend sometime in God's word before bedtime is good too as I find it helps relax my mind and helps me sleep better

In the evening take some time to play with your kids, have a good talk about their day at dinner. It is easy at times to get caught up working at home at night or letting the kids play with the neighbor kids too long which can cut into family time. We live on a culdesac in California and there are lots of neighbor kids running around playing at all hours especially in the summer months. It is really fun for the children but can cut into family time.

I find that staying in the word myself and taking the time to talk about God with the kids when I am putting them to bed really helps. My kids get closer to my wife Lori and I and most importantly to God.

God Bless, Dan Chapman