In my message yesterday, I preached on parenting. My kids are very special to me as I'm sure yours are to you. Last Friday, I had a special moment with my daughter.
She was all dressed up for her 8th grade formal. She was beautiful! It was a special night for her.
To conclude my sermon yesterday, I used a letter that was written to Ann Landers by a father who looked back with regret at not having spent more time with his kids. Here is that letter;

"I remember talking to my friend a number of years ago about our children. Mine were 5 and 7 then, just the ages when their daddy means everything to them. I wished that I could have spent more time with my kids but I was too busy working. After all, I wanted to give them all the things I never had when I was growing up.
I loved the idea of coming home and having them sit on my lap and tell me about their day. Unfortunately, most days I came home so late that I was only able to kiss them good night after they had gone to sleep.
It is amazing how fast kids grow. Before I knew it, they were 9 and 11. I missed seeing them in school plays. Everyone said they were terrific, but the plays always seemed to go on when I was traveling for business or tied up in a special conference. The kids never complained, but I could see the disappointment in their eyes.
I kept promising that I would have have more time “next year.” But the higher the corporate ladder I climbed, the less time there seemed to be.
Suddenly they were no longer 9 and 11. They were 14 and 16. Teen-agers. I didn’t see my daughter the night she went out on her first date or my son’s championship basketball game. Mom made excuses and I managed to telephone and talk to them before they left the house. I could hear the disappointment in their voices, but I explained as best I could.
Don’t’ ask where the years have gone. Those little kids are 19 and 21 now and in college. I can’t believe it. My job is less demanding and I finally have time for them. But they have their own interests and there is no time for me. To be perfectly honest, I’m a little hurt.
It seems like yesterday that they were 5 and 7. I’d give anything to have those years over. You can bet your life I’d do it differently. But they are gone now, and so is my chance to be a real dad."

Invest time in your children. You won't regret it.