In 2017, besides a full-time job, I also coached two basketball teams. I remember the days when we had a quick meal in the car after work and tried to figure out which soccer game, basketball game, or family event we were driving towards. We just intentionally created family time to connect with each other.
One day when I finished a playhouse for the kids, three-year-old Matthew came and asked to help. "Sorry, kid, but I'm all done," I replied. "Oh no..."cried Matthew. Now, any three-year-old crying after missing a project with their dad would be sweet. Crying Matthew looked like a newborn cat, melting a heart of stone. But what could I do? I had finished the project and now I had to disappoint the little boy. Suddenly I realized, "he just wants to do any project with me. Just make one up!"
I caught two pieces of useless wood, "You see this wood here? I need these two pieces of wood to be held together really tight. Can you help me?"
As light smile was on his face, "Yes!"
The result was a pleased little boy whose heart was full. What I saw was two pieces of junk wood. What he saw was the connection with his father. He saw companionship, priority (优先权), worth and a place to belong to.
Parents always think, "I'll create family time next Saturday." But you don't always have to do big things to fill children's hearts. In fact the simple act of being present means the world to little hearts. Look at that face! Those are the eyes of a little one who received nothing. And everything.
