I was sitting in the cinema Monday night with some friends watching the rather brutal action film ‘The Equalizer’ though the methods are debatable the desire to make a difference was quite inspiring, at one point near the end of the film Denzil Washington is stood by the ocean, the image was one of calm and escape, from somewhere I immediately had the desire to be there.

So at that moment I pulled out my phone to make yet another note/reminder (I tend to judge a film on how many times it provokes me this way) The note said ‘Drive to coast and stand in surf with kids now.’ So I bundled my family in to the car Tuesday as I got home from work not telling them where we were headed and a while later we pulled up at the nearest beach.

The desire to make this happen was increased Tuesday morning when hearing the scripture ‘If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!’ (Matthew 7:11 Amplified)

The heart beat that came from this verse was if I bless my kids with great experiences and presence then God will richly bless me even more with awesome Godly experiences and His presence which is what I truly desire.

I believe the principle in this verse is that if I steward the little lives that the Creator has entrusted to me he will be faithful to reward me abundantly and steward my life. Let us never forget that our reward as men is primarily on how we steward and care for the wife and children God has given us, spiritual children are second to that.

So when I give in this way towards my children I can expect God’s blessing in return!

It is a powerful attitude motivator, when life is not going so well, it can be harder to give out to our family, we may fee dry and unwilling, but that is the very time to give a good gift to your child, as I am sure the ultimate Father will then see your faith and pour out a blessing to change your situation.

God is a debtor to no man, you cannot out give God, as the scripture implies you can never be a better Father that what God is to His children, so don’t wait for the blessing and favour in your own life to be a blessing to your kids. Start today and watch God bless and reward you in abundance only He can give!

I am so aware as well that children are really not bothered by the presents that you give them, they are concerned and built up through the presence you afford them.

How much time are you making for their enjoyment and growth?

Are they (with your wife) first on your calendar? Someone else will do your job one day, but you will always be Father to your children.

Plan today! If you don’t make one night a week special to take them out or stay in and play games giving them the attention and quality time they need then fix it in to your weekly schedule today.

And think big, and creatively, when ideas come like at the cinema record them and then go make it happen!

Your children are worth every effort!

The memories of dunking chocolate kit kats, while standing in gale force winds watching the waves roll in will stay with them and be the anchors that draw them close to me in future years when troubles come.