Any red-blooded father would throw back his shoulders and say, "I'd give my life for my family," but, dads, are we willing to give up our favorite TV show in the meantime? How about it, dads, are we just a little selfish some-times when it comes to putting first things first? Let's think in terms of the little day-to-day niceties and not so much about the spectacular gesture "some day." Just as surely as night follows the day, no man will ever make the big sacrifice without first the little sacrifices along the way.
Dads, let's not wait for the more convenient time that never seems to come. Give that boy the guidance that only you can give as Heavenly Father intended it. Don't think about the great day way off in eternity sometime when you will give your life. That boy will settle for a few minutes here, and an hour there, and every once in a while perhaps a full day. An unknown poet has said it better than I:
The total companionship of his very own dad.
Games are outgrown, and toys decay, But he'll never forget if you give him a day!"
"What is this gift you will give your boy?
A glamorous game, a tinseled toy,
A whittling knife, a puzzle pack,
A train that runs on a curving track?
A Boy Scout book, a real live pet?
No, there's plenty of time for such things yet.
Give him a day for his very own-
Just your boy and his dad alone:
A walk in the woods, a game in the park,
A fishing trip from dawn to dark;
Give him the gift to thrill any lad
The total companionship of his very own dad.
Games are outgrown, and toys decay,
But he'll never forget if you give him a day!"
Robert L Simpson, Conference Report April 1964 page 70
