The Father Lens: Helping Your Kids See Who God Is Through Who You AreNäide

Your Children Need Your Presence

As a dad, have you ever felt:

• Distracted: Am I giving my kids enough of my real attention?
• Guilty: Have I missed too many important moments?
• Uncertain: Does my presence really matter that much?

All of these feelings are normal. But here's the truth: presence matters more than you think.

From the very beginning, God modeled this for us. Genesis 3:8 tells us that God would walk with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day (KJV). What a beautiful picture! The Creator of the universe prioritized daily presence with his children.

Dad, the #1 thing your child needs from you is for you to simply be there for them—actively present in their daily lives.

For years, I've asked older dads, "If you could go back, what would you do differently?" Their answers always reflect the same sentiment: "I wish I'd have invested more time in my kids when they were young."

The days go by slow, but the years go by fast.

Your children were created with a craving for your male attention and affection. You may not think your time is the most important thing you can give them, but giving them your time is an expression of giving them yourself.

This is why Ephesians 6:4 warns us not to provoke our children to wrath (KJV). When we brush our kids off by failing to give them our time, we wound their hearts.

But when we prioritize presence over distraction, discipline over apathy, and engagement over silence, we reflect the heart of a Heavenly Father who is always there.

Be encouraged: You don't have to be a perfect dad. But you do have to be a present one.

How could understanding that your presence shapes your child's view of God change the way you prioritize your time today?

Prayer: "Heavenly Father, thank you for always being present with me. Help me to reflect your faithful presence to my kids today by giving them my focused time and attention."

Tomorrow, we'll discover how dads provide protection that mirrors God's boundaries.