I read something the other day that took me by surprise. It was a book about talking and listening to your kids. The particular point I took away was basically this…it’s okay to say “No” to your kids just for no other reason than because you want to do something else at the time.
I always feel guilty when I tell my kids “No” about doing something with or for them when all I want to do just relax or read a magazine or watch TV…just something selfish like that. But, what this book was saying is that sometimes we just need our own time, and our kids have to realize this. It’s not because I don’t want to spend time with them; it’s just that I need to relax and give myself some time.
While I agree with this concept, it is a difficult thing to implement. It still seems selfish; but I guess it’s really not. To reference the life of Jesus, there were many times when he went away to a place alone. I would imagine the disciples felt slightly sometimes when Jesus walked away from them to be by himself; but he needed that time alone. And, so do we.
As long as we are fulfilling our roles as fathers/husbands, it IS okay to have some time for ourselves. Take that time this week or this weekend. And enjoy it.
