Treasuring the time you have with your family

Today is my father's 75th birthday. As a present I wrote him a letter telling him how much I treasure him. I know I definitely treasure the time I have with him, knowing that some day these days will be only a memory. I learned that you really can't take anything for granted. If you do, then it could disappear. I also learned to be patient and wait on the Lord. Sometimes that's hard to do. You want instant gratification. Yet the sweetest joys come from those things that you have to wait and work for to receive.

Part of my ongoing journey through life makes me reflect on the attributes that my father has ingrained in me. Attributes like honesty and integrity in all he does...and like standing up for what you believe even when no one else does. His strong faith in God anchors me. I admire his willingness to help others and his empathy.

I also treasure the other members of my family. I know that I need to make time for them to let them know how much I treasure them as well. That is the lesson which I am still learning. Spending time with family isn't wasting time, it's investing it. The best investment you can make is witnessing to those in your family who don't know the Lord and showing by example his love for them.