Proverbs 17:6 says, the "glory of sons is their fathers." The 
default condition is for children, especially boys to be proud of their fathers. Dads, it is like we begin with a head start; our kids will look up to us until they have a reason not to. I'll propose a simple exercise to demonstrate this. Just listen to little kids talk about their dads. There is a reason we tell, "My dad can beat your dad up" jokes. It is because most little kids, in fact, believe that their dad can whip his weight in tigers with one hand tied behind his back.
We usually attribute the change that comes to youngsters as they grow up to the kids, themselves, and our culture. Again, a bit of observation will confirm that many/most of those four-year-olds who bragged on dad, by the time they become fourteen, are much less impressed. Fathers, when we blame forces outside of ourselves for this fall in "polling numbers" are we taking the easy way out? I fear we are.
default condition is for children, especially boys to be proud of their fathers. Dads, it is like we begin with a head start; our kids will look up to us until they have a reason not to. I'll propose a simple exercise to demonstrate this. Just listen to little kids talk about their dads. There is a reason we tell, "My dad can beat your dad up" jokes. It is because most little kids, in fact, believe that their dad can whip his weight in tigers with one hand tied behind his back. We usually attribute the change that comes to youngsters as they grow up to the kids, themselves, and our culture. Again, a bit of observation will confirm that many/most of those four-year-olds who bragged on dad, by the time they become fourteen, are much less impressed. Fathers, when we blame forces outside of ourselves for this fall in "polling numbers" are we taking the easy way out? I fear we are.
A friend of mine told me one time about a ministry in which he was involved. Part of the meeting-plan of this ministry, involved food. When my friend was put in charge of planning the gatherings he was given a sum of money--more than enough to purchase what was needed for a meeting's worth of snacks. My friend was told, this was the last time he would be given any money. He needed to make sure that he maintained a positive cash flow. Guys, I think that is like our situation. God has so wired little guys that they tend to look up to their dads. Let's protect that capital.
When we ignore, lie to, make unreasonable demands on, and/or model inconsistent behaviors before our children we allow our paternal nest-egg to be diminished. Far too often the reason the four-year-old, who thinks "there is no one like my dad," becomes the fourteen-year-old, who thinks "there is no one as lame as my dad," is because we convince them. We waste our capital.
When we ignore, lie to, make unreasonable demands on, and/or model inconsistent behaviors before our children we allow our paternal nest-egg to be diminished. Far too often the reason the four-year-old, who thinks "there is no one like my dad," becomes the fourteen-year-old, who thinks "there is no one as lame as my dad," is because we convince them. We waste our capital.
Fathers of youngsters, start now. Hold on to that "The Man" position. Sure, you aren't the strongest, fastest, smartest, or funniest, but you are the best dad your child has. Maximize that privileged position.
Dad, if the shine has worn off of your "Best Dad" medal, don't despair. There is hope. Begin now to rebuild that platform. Start by sitting down and asking your child to forgive you. Hard, but it is the best way to start.
It's STTA.
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