There was a father who was a hardworking man. He worked a delivery job as a living to support his wife and three children. He spent his spare time when he was not working attending classes, hoping to improve himself so that he could find a better-paying job. 

Except for Sundays, the father hardly ate a meal together with his family. He worked and studied very hard because he wanted to provide his family with a better life. Whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all of the extra work to provide for them…yet, he did miss the time away from his family.

The day came when the examination results for his classes were announced. To his joy, he passed—with awards and distinctions, as well! Soon after, he was offered a better job as a senior supervisor, which paid handsomely..

Like a dream come true, the man could now afford to provide his family with life’s little luxuries like nicer clothing, better food and a vacation together.

However, the family still did not get to see him for most of the work-week. He continued to work diligently, hoping to be promoted to the position of manager. In fact, to make himself a more worthy candidate for the promotion, he enrolled in another course at the local university.

When the family complained that they wanted to have more time with him, he again reasoned that he was making the extra effort for them. Yet, he missed the time away from his family.

However, his hard work paid off, when he was again promoted. Jubilantly, he decided to hire a maid to relieve his wife from her domestic tasks. He also decided that their three-room apartment was no longer suitable; he found a condominium with more room and facilities for his family to enjoy.

Having experienced the rewards of his hard work several times before, the father again resolved to further his studies to earn another promotion. The family still did not get to see much of him. In fact, sometimes he had to work on Sundays entertaining clients. Again, whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all it for them—even though he would have enjoyed spending more time with his family.

As expected, the father’s hard work paid off again, and he bought a beautiful condominium in Florida overlooking the beach. On the first Sunday evening at their new home, the father declared to his family that he had now decided not to take anymore courses or pursue any more promotions. From then on he was going to devote more time to his family.

The Father did not wake up the next day.

- Author Unknown

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We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9 NLT

Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NLT

And He said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?   Luke 12:22-34 ESV

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