Yesterday was Father's Day, and I was blessed to be able to spend some time with my kids. I had an enjoyable lunch with all four of my children, and that's kind of a rarity these days since the oldest two don't live with us any longer. As we visited I was reminded of the rewards and responsibilities of parenting. As a Christian father I've always believed in the importance of teaching my children about God and how we should live our lives for Him. I would hope that they've seen that even though I'm not perfect, I've always tried to do more than just "talk the talk." Through my commitment to worship, Bible study and service I'd like to believe that they're seeing a dad who also "walks the walk." I need to be sure that I'm walking a clear path that each of them can follow to a closer relationship with Father God.
When my son was in the 2nd grade, he made an art project at school for me. At the time he probably thought he was just coloring and gluing something that we could hang on the refrigerator for a couple of weeks. But in actuality, it's been something that has helped to keep me grounded on what's important as a father. I still have the piece of paper that was glued to green felt 13 years ago with a poem entitled "Walk a Little Plainer" by an unnamed author. I'd like to share this poem with you now:
Walk A Little Plainer
Walk a littler plainer, Daddy, said a little boy so frail.
I'm following in your footsteps, and I don't want to fail.
Sometimes the steps are very plain. Sometimes they're hard to see.
So walk a little plainer, Daddy, for you are leading me.
Some time when I grow up you're like I want to be,
And I will have a little boy who'll want to follow me;
And I will want to lead him right and help him to be true.
So walk a little plainer, Daddy, For he must follow You.
Walk a littler plainer, Daddy, said a little boy so frail.
I'm following in your footsteps, and I don't want to fail.
Sometimes the steps are very plain. Sometimes they're hard to see.
So walk a little plainer, Daddy, for you are leading me.
Some time when I grow up you're like I want to be,
And I will have a little boy who'll want to follow me;
And I will want to lead him right and help him to be true.
So walk a little plainer, Daddy, For he must follow You.
I encourage all of you fathers and mothers to walk a little plainer. Be a good example for your children--a holy example. Let's be the example that Paul teaches of in Philippians 3:17, and again in 1 Timothy 4:12 where Paul admonishes Timothy to be an example for fellow believers. We need to do our best to be godly in all our ways and at all times because our children's eyes are watching us--looking to us for guidance by example even when we have no clue that they're watching. We should endeavor to be a true reflection of Christ because our kids are looking up to us. There's a beautiful song recorded by Phillips, Craig and Dean that does a wonderful job of capturing this idea. I recommend that you listen to it if you've never heard it before. It's called "I Want to Be Just Like You".
He climbs in my lap for a goodnight hug
He calls me Dad and I call him "Bub"
With his faded old pillow and a bear named Pooh
He snuggles up close and says, "I want to be like you"
I tuck him in bed and I kiss him goodnight
Trippin' over the toys as I turn out the light
And I whisper a prayer that someday he'll see
He's got a father in God 'cause he's seen Jesus in me
(chorus)Lord, I want to be just like You 'cause he wants to be just like me
I want to be a holy example for his innocent eyes to see
Help me be a living Bible, Lord that my little boy can read
I want to be just like You 'cause he wants to be like me
Got to admit I've got so far to go make so many mistakes and I'm sure that You know
Sometimes it seems no matter how hard I try with all the pressures in life
I just can't get it all right
But I'm trying so hard to learn from the best
Being patient and kind filled with Your tenderness
'Cause I know that he'll learn from the things that he sees
And the Jesus he finds will be the Jesus in me
(repeat chorus)
He calls me Dad and I call him "Bub"
With his faded old pillow and a bear named Pooh
He snuggles up close and says, "I want to be like you"
I tuck him in bed and I kiss him goodnight
Trippin' over the toys as I turn out the light
And I whisper a prayer that someday he'll see
He's got a father in God 'cause he's seen Jesus in me
(chorus)Lord, I want to be just like You 'cause he wants to be just like me
I want to be a holy example for his innocent eyes to see
Help me be a living Bible, Lord that my little boy can read
I want to be just like You 'cause he wants to be like me
Got to admit I've got so far to go make so many mistakes and I'm sure that You know
Sometimes it seems no matter how hard I try with all the pressures in life
I just can't get it all right
But I'm trying so hard to learn from the best
Being patient and kind filled with Your tenderness
'Cause I know that he'll learn from the things that he sees
And the Jesus he finds will be the Jesus in me
(repeat chorus)
copyright 1994 Joy Becker and Dan Dean
So dads and moms, I know that none of us are perfect; but I encourage you to strive (with God's help) to be more and more like Jesus so that when your children read the pages of your life it will be as if they're reading a living Bible--so that when they look at you they will see a glimpse of their Heavenly Father. Let's all walk a little plainer for our children's sake!
Singing His Praises,
Joey Culpepper