"Love is not spelled T-H-I-N-G-S. Love is spelled T-I-M-E." I don't know when or where I first heard that, or even who said it, but that simple little statement has certainly stuck in my mind over the years. I understand it to say that true love isn't shown by the stuff you give, but by the time spent in giving yourself.
As a pastor of a young, growing church and the father of a young, growing family, I'm often tempted to give a toy instead of giving my time. Instead of rolling around on the rug wrestling with Jack or having a princess tea party with Laura Kate, there is the tug to take a shortcut and give some thing instead of myself. The reason I sometimes face this temptation is because it's easier and quicker, and many times after a busy day dealing with church folks or zoning officials or convention politics I just don't feel like I have much left to give. That may not make me sound like a nominee for Father of the Year, but it's the truth.
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