Ephesians 6:4 (ESV) —
4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
NOTE: Some versions (NIV84) use the word "exasperate" instead of "provoke." I like that because I know the feeling of being exasperated and then to answer harshly, further exasperating the situation. So, part of the solution, is that I need be careful how I am first affected by the situation. When I am exasperated, it is usually because there is something I need (want) to do and I am being interrupted, so that I can't focus. The problem then is twofold, focus and attention. Yes, I need to be focused on one thing and it needs to get the attention. But when my child interrupts and demands my attention, or even an employee, I need to turn and give the person my full attention and focus. Answering a child (or an employee) while I am writing out an email is a lose-lose proposition. One, the child (or employee) doesn't feel valued because he does not have my attention, and two, I do a poor job with both the email and the answer to the person.
I worked for a company that had a slogan, "be there now." The slogan meant that when I was interrupted by someone at my desk, I needed to stop what I was doing and focus on the individual. I needed to give the person my full attention. There are exceptions to the rule (as in all rules), but I have always felt it was a great idea. It helps me not to be exasperated as well as to not answer in a way that exasperates the individual.
Our children are the most important persons in our lives (God and our spouse are more important). They deserve our attention.
PONDER:
- Do I give my children my full attention, or only half?
PRAYER: Father, I pray that even when my children call that I would give them my full attention. Help me to see when I am not doing that.
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