This is my absolute favorite time of the year. I enjoy Christmas immensely, but that is not the primary reason for preferring this above all other seasons. Our company gives us fewer holidays off during the year, so we can have the days off between Christmas and New Year’s. I rejoice in being home with my family!

Teri is truly my best friend. There is no one I would rather be with and do things with than her. During workweeks I get up early enough that I also have to go to bed early. That schedule precludes staying up after the little ones are down, so we don’t get as much talking time as we would like. During the holiday week, though, we can stay up a bit later and talk. Additional little errands, etc., that come up over this holiday week give us even more time together.

After Teri, our children are my next best friends. What a joy they are to be with. When we are all together, something is usually going on, and we are often laughing. I enjoy the individual time with them that the vacation allows.

However, this year is better than the last two years because in December I resigned a ministry position that was taking my time and attention away from my family. It has been such a relief to not have something major competing with the family. I had not realized how heavily this ministry had weighed on me. I believe God was telling me Kansas City is full of men He could use to fill my previous ministry position, but I was the only one He had called to be my children’s Daddy.

Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Next to the Lord, may our hearts be consumed with our families. May we cast off the myth of “quality time versus quantity time.” The only way to imprint on another life is through time. Please don’t let others rob your family of your time. Lavish it on them; they need you.