I sat down this morning and grabbed the remote and began to do my duty as a man by flipping through all the channels as fast I could. I cannot help it, and it drives my family crazy. It is my duty.
Something caught my attention as a county music video was playing on one station (and it was not a woman that caught my attention). As I sat there for a couple of minutes watching and listening, I was reminded of a song by Phillips, Craig and Dean titled “I Want to Be Just Like You”.
My lovely bride was getting ready for her day as a preschool teacher, and our 3 year old little man was running through the house as I watched this video. My heart was touched as I saw my son and heard the words of the song. God reminded me of a blessing, a responsibility and a huge opportunity running in front of me. Here are some of the lyrics from Rodney Atkins’ song “Watching You”:
Driving through town just my boy and me
With a happy meal in his booster seat
Knowing that he couldn't have the toy
Till his nuggets were gone
Green traffic light turned straight to red
I hit my breaks and mumbled under my breath
As fries went a flying and his orange drink covered his lap
Well then my four year old said a four letter word
That started with "s" and I was concerned
So I said son now where did you learn to talk like that…
We got back home and I went to the barn
I bowed my head and I prayed real hard
Said Lord please help me help my stupid self
Then this side of bedtime later that night
Turning on my son's scooby doo nightlight
He crawled out of bed and he got down on his knees
He closed his little eyes, folded his little hands
And spoke to God like he was talking to a friend
And I said son where'd you learn to pray like that
He said I've been watching you dad, ain't that cool
I'm your buckaroo, I wanna be like you
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are
We like fixing things and holding mama's hand
Yeah we're just alike, hey ain't we dad
I wanna do everything you do
So I've been watching you
With tears in my eyes I wrapped him in a hug
Said my little bear is growing up
He said but when I'm big I'll still know what to do
I cannot explain all that I am thinking about my children. Yesterday, I drove for a while with them and had some time to talk and share. We got home and everyone helped pretty up our front yard so the Christmas decorations could be better seen. I am see that I need to cherish and use those times because my children are learning from me.
Christmas is not the only time to act like a giver or to be concerned about another person. As parents, Christians, grandparents or friends, we have a huge opportunity to let these kids see something that might just change their lives. Are we willing? What will be different about this Christmas season if you choose to give your children more of you and better you? That is what God placed on my heart. You know what? It begins with me, and that is why I am telling you!
“Attention, Israel! God, our God! God the one and only! Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that's in you, love him with all you've got! Write these commandments that I've given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Something caught my attention as a county music video was playing on one station (and it was not a woman that caught my attention). As I sat there for a couple of minutes watching and listening, I was reminded of a song by Phillips, Craig and Dean titled “I Want to Be Just Like You”.
My lovely bride was getting ready for her day as a preschool teacher, and our 3 year old little man was running through the house as I watched this video. My heart was touched as I saw my son and heard the words of the song. God reminded me of a blessing, a responsibility and a huge opportunity running in front of me. Here are some of the lyrics from Rodney Atkins’ song “Watching You”:
Driving through town just my boy and me
With a happy meal in his booster seat
Knowing that he couldn't have the toy
Till his nuggets were gone
Green traffic light turned straight to red
I hit my breaks and mumbled under my breath
As fries went a flying and his orange drink covered his lap
Well then my four year old said a four letter word
That started with "s" and I was concerned
So I said son now where did you learn to talk like that…
We got back home and I went to the barn
I bowed my head and I prayed real hard
Said Lord please help me help my stupid self
Then this side of bedtime later that night
Turning on my son's scooby doo nightlight
He crawled out of bed and he got down on his knees
He closed his little eyes, folded his little hands
And spoke to God like he was talking to a friend
And I said son where'd you learn to pray like that
He said I've been watching you dad, ain't that cool
I'm your buckaroo, I wanna be like you
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are
We like fixing things and holding mama's hand
Yeah we're just alike, hey ain't we dad
I wanna do everything you do
So I've been watching you
With tears in my eyes I wrapped him in a hug
Said my little bear is growing up
He said but when I'm big I'll still know what to do
I cannot explain all that I am thinking about my children. Yesterday, I drove for a while with them and had some time to talk and share. We got home and everyone helped pretty up our front yard so the Christmas decorations could be better seen. I am see that I need to cherish and use those times because my children are learning from me.
Christmas is not the only time to act like a giver or to be concerned about another person. As parents, Christians, grandparents or friends, we have a huge opportunity to let these kids see something that might just change their lives. Are we willing? What will be different about this Christmas season if you choose to give your children more of you and better you? That is what God placed on my heart. You know what? It begins with me, and that is why I am telling you!
“Attention, Israel! God, our God! God the one and only! Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that's in you, love him with all you've got! Write these commandments that I've given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9
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