Sunday 13 September 2026

The Gift of Children and Family

Last Sunday was Father’s Day, and for me it was a special day, not because of the gifts I received, but because of the gift I have been given: the gift of children, family, and the privilege of being a father.

This year, our four children were not all in the same place. Two were here in New Zealand, while the other two were overseas. But somehow, distance did not stop us from celebrating together.

One of our children brought their whole family over for afternoon tea. And, of course, there was my favourite chocolate pudding! We sat around together, talked, laughed, watched the grandchildren, and simply enjoyed being family.

The other took me to the Town Hall to watch a school choral performance. Afterwards, we caught up about her work, her family, and life. Again, it was not anything grand or expensive. It was simply time together, and that made it special.

Then came the wonderful technology of today. One of our children called from Perth, Australia, and the other called from the airport on her way to Papua New Guinea. Even though our family was spread across different countries and airports, we were still connected.

As I reflected on the day, I realised again that some of the greatest gifts in life cannot be wrapped.

They are sitting around a table.

They are sharing a chocolate pudding.

They are watching children sing.

They are hearing a familiar voice from overseas.

They are receiving a call from an airport just before someone boards a plane.

They are the simple moments when we stop and say, “How are you? How is the family? What is happening in your life?”

Those moments are precious because children grow up. When they are young, we spend our days caring for them, teaching them, correcting them and encouraging them. Then, almost before we realise it, they become adults, establish their own careers, homes and families, and our role changes.

We are no longer simply raising them. We are walking alongside them.

One of the greatest privileges of fatherhood is watching each of our children continue their journey, discovering God’s plan for their lives.

I also recognise that each of us will have experienced and celebrated Father’s Day differently. For some, it was a joyful day with family. For others, it may have been a quiet day of memories, gratitude, longing, or perhaps a difficult day. Whatever our experience, each story matters.

Psalm 127:3 says: “Children are a heritage from the Lord; offspring a reward from him.”

I am deeply grateful for that heritage. I give thanks for what God has given us.

And this brings us to Week 3 of our September journey, as we continue celebrating God’s creation with the theme “Give Thanks.”

I invite you this week to pause, take the time, and reflect on the ordinary gifts God has placed around you—the people you love, the relationships you treasure, the food on your table, the beauty of creation, and the opportunities each new day brings.

Sometimes we are so familiar with these gifts that we forget to notice them.

So this week, pause and name one thing you might normally take for granted.

And simply say: “Thank you, Lord.”

For me, Father’s Day gave me many reasons to say those words:

Thank you, Lord, for my children.
Thank you for my family.
Thank you for the gift of love.
And thank you for the privilege of being a father.

Our September Journey

Week 1         1-6 September— LOOK

Creation is speaking
Can we learn to notice again?
Psalm 19

Week 2         7-13 September— RECEIVE

Creation is a gift
Can we recognise what God gives us every day?
Genesis 1

Week 3        14-20 September — GIVE THANKS

Creation leads us to worship
Can ordinary things become occasions for gratitude?

Week 4        21-27 September — CARE

Creation is entrusted to us
What does biblical stewardship look like?
Genesis 2:15   Leviticus 25:23

Week 5        28-30 September — PASS IT ON

What will we leave?
How do we care for God’s creation for those who come after us?

Blessings

Enosa