Week 28 - Tim White - Our Need for Attention and Approval

Our Need for Attention and Approval

Little kids constantly seek approval from their parents with phrases like, "Watch me, Daddy!” or Watch me, Mommy!" because they want to know our eyes are on them. As we get older, we might stop saying this out loud, but we still silently crave that parental approval.

In today's digital age, we are often too distracted by our devices to give our kids the attention they need. I admit that when my kids played sports, I struggled to pay attention because I do not like sports and just wanted to go back to what I was doing. Looking back, I’m embarrassed that I missed so many moments when my kids looked up to see if I was watching.

I saw a clip of Adam Sandler talking about his own kids. He realized he was celebrating his kids' pool jumps while they were still underwater. To ensure they actually saw and heard his support, he began waiting to celebrate until their heads surfaced. He sounds like a great dad!

While we, as earthly parents, make mistakes, we have a perfect Heavenly Father who is always watching over us. Whenever we cry out to Him, He is already smiling, celebrating us, and expressing how proud He is.

Psalm 121 highlights how God watches over us without ever sleeping or slumbering. Read this Psalm and insert your own name into it to see how it speaks to you.