“And I regularly asked fathers if they played with their children; if they had the courage to have the love to waste time with their children.  The answer wasn’t good, eh!  The majority would say: “But, I can’t because I have so much work to do…’ And the father was absent from that child that was growing up and didn’t play with him, he didn’t waste time with him.”  Pope Francis

Last Saturday, I had a plan.  It was a nice day and I like to drink my coffee and eat my breakfast on our screened in porch while reading.  I got together my breakfast and sat down.  The kids weren’t up yet and my wife was out running a road race.

My children typically like to get up, watch something and eat their breakfast – a good hour of time spent.

My plan was to run a quick 4 miles on the treadmill when the kids got up, while they watched their show.  As I sat and ate, my son woke and came out on the porch.  For the next hour, he told me his thoughts on the Marvel movies, we took 3 on-line quizzes to discover what our Marvel weapon should be (mine was Dr Strange’s Eye of Agamotto ???), which Marvel Hero we are most like (Thor) and which Marvel villain we are most like (can’t remember).

Well, I didn’t get my run in.  I thought about asking my son to go watch a show or tell him I wanted to exercise.  Pope Francis’ words did echo in my brain and I decided to waste time with him.

The Father loves us.  As Fathers, we are called to love, like the Father.  When we pass to the next realm, we hope we recognize the Father by saying, “I know you, your love was with me all the while.”

I’m not looking for a clap on the back, I don’t always get things right, but I just want to reflect on a moment in time when I got something right.  I wanted to do my thing, but I choose my son instead.  I choose to waste time with my family.

Waste time with your family.

God Bless