How much do you make in an hour?

This post is taken from Pastor Joel's blog and the reason i'm posting it here is because i thought it wld be a really good reminder for us all...do take some time to read it :)

Tommy went up to his dad, in the middle of the living room and hesitantly said: "Dad can I ask you a question?"

Irritated by the pressures of work and the household chores that loomed over him, Robert snapped, "What is it? I'm busy - be quick .."

"How much do you make in an hour Dad?" came the tiny voice.

"What do you want to know that for? I really have to finish this report in about 2 hours you know -SIGH - well if you really must know - I make 50 dollars an hour ..Now run along." Robert rattled as he typed away at his laptop ..

Tommy was silent for a while, as if pondering something- and then he spoke again "Dad can I get 25 dollars from you please, I really want .... need to buy something ..."

Even more irritated, Robert blew his top "WHY CAN'T YOU GROW UP? WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS ASKING FOR THIS AND THAT? MONEY DOESN'T GROW ON TREES YOU KNOW - I AM SO BUSY AND YOU CAME TO ASK ME THIS STUPID QUESTION SO THAT YOU CAN SQUEEZE MORE MONEY OUTTA ME? GO TO YOUR ROOM!"

Spit flew as his reddening face fired off its verbal salvo at Tommy ...

Head bowed, scared and retreating - Tommy turned and slopped off towards his room ...

"The nerve of that kid .." thought Robert ..as he returned to his work and typed away
And an hour passed and Robert had completed much of what he needed to do .. and he hadn't heard a peep from Tommy since his last lecture of the boy .. Tommy had gone to his room and stayed there as he was told..

Feeling softer hearted Robert took a break, and walked towards Tommy's room..

Opening the door, he peeped in and cheerily called out, "Hey kiddo ... you alright?"

"Yeah I guess - Dad.." came the wounded reply..

"Look I'm really sorry for lashing out like that just now ... what's that you wanted to buy? Here's 25 for you son ... but its only because you learnt your lesson and stayed in your room and didn't continue arguing - when I told you to.. alrite?"

Tommy eagerly jumped up and picked up the 25 that Robert laid on his mattress bed, and then he reached under his pillow and pulled out some more dollar bills...

Seeing that he had money, surprised Robert and made him angry at the same time .. "How much do you really need? What'd you need so much money for? WHY YOU WASTING MONEY AGAIN - AND WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO BUY - I DON'T CARE, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BUY SOMETHING SO EXPENSIVE!"

Tommy wasn't really listening ... he counted the bils one by one .. and when he was done, he piled them all together and pushed it towards Robert saying "Dad I have 50 dollars now .. can I buy 1 hour of your time? Shall we play together? I've not played action figures with you for so long ...."

Robert stopped ... he couldn't hold it back ... his tears just kept rolling and rolling ... deeply ashamed he held Tommy for the longest time .. and just wept ... "You silly boy ... I'm .... I'm sorry ... Dad's really sorry"

How much do you make in an hour?

Don't make God buy time to be with you ...

Don't make Family buy time to be with you ...