Shaking The Sugar Tree 6/26/2015

Good Morning,

Running late today. Duty called last night and I had to work through the evening until later this morning. I did however make some Door County Coconut Crush Coffee at work last night to help stay awake. You just have to love construction projects and health care.

Mark - Chapter 10:13-14

13. People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.
14. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."

 

Rene and I are empty nesters now. The one who greets me at the door is our dog Gibbs. His tail wags as he prances around looking for attention. I can't pass him by without scratching his ears for a minute and acknowledging him.

I watch the kids who live across the street from us who on many days are outside playing when their Dad returns home from work. He is greeted by the three kids much like puppies who have waited all day for their master to return. They want to be acknowledged and played with by Dad.

 

I remember the days when I was a little boy and my dad would come home very late from work and he would tell me to look into his lunch box. I would sometimes find a bag of peanuts or a small candy bar there for us.

 

It is a shame when parents get caught up in the excessive activities of life and are always too tired to spend even just a little quality time with the children God has given them. Children will often act out in order to get attention. This is their way of shaking the "sugar tree." Video games, sport clubs, and empty promises are not the same as a walk with dad or mom, sitting on a tired but loving lap, reading together, playing catch, eating pretend cake with pretend tea, crawling into a fort made of blankets, playing a board game and losing, or sharing a soggy Oreo cookie.  Kids will give away hints of their need to bond with a parent. The biggest hint is when you no longer see them. They scroll their lives away in their room and seldom come out, because they are tired of shaking the sugar tree with nothing falling.

So today before your child has to shake the tree, surprise them with a gift of your time, just for them. Laugh together, listen to the story that seems like it won't end, run and kick a ball, make the lemonade and sit down with them and write with chalk on the sidewalk. Jesus made time for children and He had a world to save.

Have a great weekend. Let the sugar fly.

Marty