From the author of 52 THINGS KIDS NEED FROM A DAD and 365 WAYS TO SAY “I LOVE YOU” TO YOUR KIDS comes ONE-MINUTE DEVOTIONS FOR DADS, a small yet significant devotional. But don’t let the book’s compact size fool you. Inside these pages are keys to a healthy relationship with your kids.

Jay Payleitner is the father of five, and he and his wife Rita have also loved on 10 foster babies. So it goes without saying that he knows a little something about kids and what it takes to be a dad. While there are plenty of devotionals out there that focus on fatherhood, this one is different. And maybe more appealing. According to Payleitner, you only need to set aside one minute of your day to read it. That’s right, just 60 seconds. So if you have a minute, read on.

"A female myself, I’m obviously not a dad. But after reviewing this book, I’ll likely pick up a copy for my husband, my father, and other dads in my life. I am personally impressed with the content, and despite its compact size, it packs a powerful punch."

Chances are, you want to be the best dad you can be. You probably long for an honest and healthy relationship with your kids. Maybe you’ve even purchased several books on fatherhood, but they are still sitting on the shelf unopened. Let’s face it: men typically aren’t into long, drawn-out life lessons and wordy how-to’s. Many prefer to get straight to the punch, which is exactly what this book does. Described as Bible-based coaching sessions, each daily devotional consists of a brief (as in, it takes one minute to read) motivational thought that will inspire you, challenge you, and make you think. More importantly, each short message contains the stuff you need to increase your faith and be a better dad and man.

You’ll read words of wisdom about finding contentment, developing a better attitude, going with the flow, not sweating the small stuff, how to handle a prodigal son, and how to connect with your kids on all levels. Some of the titles you can expect are: “Thou Shalt Not Whine,” “A Better Use For Cell Phones,” “Losing Aint All Bad,” “All You Need is a Good Editor,” “Less Fuss, Less Muss” and “A Salute to All Athletes.”

Some meditations begin with a scripture, but most start with a quote, such as “Failure is success if we learn from it.” (Malcolm S. Forbes) and “As a child my family’s menu consisted of two things: take it, or leave it.” (Buddy Hackett). As you can see, Payleitner keeps things light, with plenty of humor to go around. Perhaps the most unique feature is the “What about you?” question at the end of each devotion, which offers a chance for you to apply the message to your own life. It’s nothing extensive, but just something to chew on during the day.

If you’re a guy who wants in-depth teaching and a meatier meditation, this book won’t cut it. But if you’re up for a quick shot of encouragement and wisdom, it’s the perfect choice. Keep it in your glove box for a quick pick-me-up, or read it while you shave or brush your teeth. It also makes a great gift for dads of all ages.

A female myself, I’m obviously not a dad. But after reviewing this book, I’ll likely pick up a copy for my husband, my father, and other dads in my life. I am personally impressed with the content, and despite its compact size, it packs a powerful punch. If you have an extra 60 seconds per day, ONE-MINUTE DEVOTIONS FOR DADS may be exactly what you’re looking for.