Father to Daughter: Remember the Time…?

March, 2006

by: Walt Bertelsen

My little girl is getting married in a few days. (For some of you, that time is past, already.) Twenty years is not much time to watch a child grow.

The other day, she turned around to say, “Bye, Dad,” and walked out the door to go somewhere. That set me to reflecting, of course. What father doesn’t, at this time? I remembered a song I hadn’t thought about since I was younger than she is. The song was called, “Turn Around.” It was a pop hit in 1964, sung by the Kingston Trio. (If you remember them, you’ll probably remember this song!) The words: “Where are you going, my little one, little one? Where are you going, my baby, my own? Turn around and you’re two; turn around and you’re four; turn around and you’re a young girl going out of the door.”

When that song came out, I was a confused teen, focused on the then-pop music. The song sounded cutesy and didn’t have much meaning for me. War drums, marriage, and parenting were so far off then. Back then, a summer seemed like eternity. Now, however, I am beginning to understand the transitoriness of our earth-bound experience, and the preciousness of the few moments in time that God grants.

Everything will be different now, right? She’ll be out the door, my job will be done, right? For some of you, that exit is a time of relief! For some of you, it’s a time of hand-wringing: Did I do my job right? And, of course, you’ll remember all that you should have taught her, but didn’t…. Along with you, I’m tempted to have those kind of thoughts. Let me offer you a word of encouragement: It’s not too late.

In my case, that little bundle turned into a young lady who loves the Lord and desires to continue following Christ. Some of you are not so fortunate. Some of your children can’t wait to get out the door. Some of you can’t wait for them to leave. Some of them are long gone.

But, you know what? Life is not over. The Lord has not returned (if you’re a believer reading this!).

It’s important that we remember the time. The Scripture is pointed—and painful for many—which says, “Discipline your son, while there is _______” (Prov 19:18). What did you put in the blank? Time? The word that goes in is “hope.” Biblical hope is not empty desire—it is an assured expectation, based on the promises of God. Another rendering says, “Discipline your son, for in that there is hope.” Spanking is a very small part of the package. Discipline is not so limited. Discipline is training.

The optimum time to train a child is when he or she is young. Your time for hands-on training may have passed. The time for hope has not passed. (Read that again). My day-to-day training time with my daughter may have come to an end—but my time of influence and opportunity for godly impact has not.

As a father to my daughter, and as a shepherd to the sheep, let me say this: Remember your Source. El Shadai, “God the Almighty,” is the source of your life, your wisdom, of everything worth anything in these brief moments of time and for eternity. He is the source of your life and power, the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Remember, too, your heart. What you may judge to bring you happiness stems from your own heart, your own desires (Prov 4:23). True happiness and joy will come only to the heart that is aligned with the heart of God. Serve Him alone, and the rest will come.

None of us know how our life will unfold. But we know the One who does. Through His providence, the Father has control of every moment deposited to your life. It is not too late to live for Christ—whether you have years or moments left. Remember the time. Make it count.