The alarm clock goes off, and it’s off to the races – backpacks, lunch boxes, car rider lines, straighten the house, run some errands, a second car rider line, unpack lunch boxes, and go through backpacks looking for papers to sign and homework to do. When your day feels like one big rat race, you might forget that there are moments in each day you can capture and cherish with your children.

There are moments in each day you can capture and cherish with your children.

Ephesians 5:15-17 reminds us to “look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” We are called to make the best use of our time, so how might we do that?

1. Get it together. If your morning is one big hectic rush to get out the door, start the night before. Your efforts to start the day don’t need to be one barked order after the other. You can effectively train your child to organize his morning by having things ready and by the door before you go to bed. Teach personal responsibility and don’t bail out your child when he/she calls from school to say he/she forgot something. If your child forgets his lunch, you train your child to repeat that behavior every time you make a second trip to the school to take his lunch to him. If you don’t redeem the time in your family by being organized, you will waste the time God intends for you to spend with your family.  If you don’t redeem the time in your family by being organized, you will waste the time God intends for you to spend with your family.
2. Create spontaneous fun. If you are predictable, break that predictability pattern one day and surprise your child with something so off the wall, she will always remember the day you______(fill in the blank). What might that look like? Putt-putt right after school, ice cream for supper, draw names after school and let each family member purchase a $1.00 gift for someone in the family, family flag football game in the backyard, star gazing, drive in movie in your backyard with a big screen TV on the patio, camping in the backyard, camping in the living room.
3. Serve up a smile. Some of your child’s best memories can be made when you are serving others alongside your child. Explore opportunities in your community where you can serve together. Take lots of pictures and have your kids record a commercial where they try to talk other children into being on mission and serving others.

For you to understand what the will of the Lord is in regard to your child – you have to know that the most important thing is to guide your child spiritually. If you desire to guide your child spiritually, it’s an easier task if you have a relationship and your child enjoys being with you. If you sprinkle in a lot of fun into your day with your child, you are going to have a deepened bond that leads to intimate and heartfelt conversations. So let’s get it together, create some spontaneous fun, and serve up some smiles with your child this week.

If you sprinkle in a lot of fun into your day with your child, you are going to have a deepened bond that leads to intimate and heartfelt conversations.

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  Ephesisans 5:15-17