A few weeks ago we were eating at a restaurant that I like to think is God’s gift to eaters… Skyline Chili.

While we were eating, a father and son came and sat down across from us. As I watched them enjoy one another’s company I realized that my father did the same thing with me, and that many of my best memories were formed over a bowl of bean soup at a truckstop in Milton, PA.

We used to go get some bean soup and play a video game called “Sky Shark” that was located in the truckers game room. It didn’t cost much or take a lot of time, but it left me with a heart full of good memories.

Dads, the best gift we can give to our children is time. Time over a bowl of bean soup or a 5-way from Skyline. Time spent teaching them, learning from them, talking with them, laughing with them, crying with them… time doing the normal things of life with them.

Someday I want my girls to enjoy me as much as I enjoyed being with my dad and as much as this young man was enjoying being with his dad. I know I can have that in the future, and so can you, if we’ll start the habit now.

By the way, I don’t normally take pictures of strangers while they’re eating… or anytime for that matter. Well, not usually… but that’s for another day.