Watching You

Sunday is Father’s Day and I am very thankful for the four young men in my life who I am proud to call MY sons. Ok, two are “sons-in-law” but I really love them as if they were my own blood sons.

Watching Josh, Garrett and Jon become fathers has been an awesome experience for me. They have all become wonderful dads to their kids. In many ways they have done a much better job of fathering than I have done for them. And whether they realize it or not, they have become very important role models for their brother, Zach. I know that when God gives him the responsibility of being a Dad, he will be able to look back on how his brothers modeled being godly fathers.

Rodney Atkins wrote a really powerful song about the way sons learn from watching their dads. It is not a Christian song, but the principles are powerful:

Drivin’ through town just my boy and me
With a Happy Meal in his booster seat
Knowin’ that he couldn’t have the toy ‘til his nuggets were gone.
A green traffic light turned straight to red
I hit my brakes and mumbled under my breath.
His fries went a flyin’, and his orange drink covered his lap
Well, then my four year old said a four letter word
It started with “S” and I was concerned
So I said, “Son, now where’d you learn to talk like that?”

Chorus:
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 got cowboy boots and camo pants
Yeah, we’re just alike, hey, ain’t we dad?
I want to do everything you do.
So I’ve been watching you.”

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.”
Just this side of bedtime later that night
Turnin’ 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
Spoke to God like he was talkin’ to a friend.
And I said, “Son, now where’d you learn to pray like that?”

Chorus:
He said, “I’ve been watching you, dad ain’t that cool?
I’m your buckaroo, I want to be like you.
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are.
We like fixin’ things and holding momma’s hand
Yeah, we’re just alike, hey, ain’t we dad?
I want to 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 growin’ up.”
And he said, “But when I’m big I’ll still know what to do.”

“‘Cause I’ve been watching you, dad ain’t that cool?
I’m your buckaroo, I want to be like you.
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are.
By then I’ll be strong as superman
We’ll be just alike, hey, won’t we dad
When I can do everything you do.
‘cause I’ve been watchin’ you.”
hey yeah
uh huh

Dad’s – we need to wake up and remember that our kids are watching us! You are their greatest role model. Happy Father’s Day to all of you – but especially to my three Dad/Sons: Josh, Garrett and Jon. I love you guys so much. – Bill Welte is President & CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: Nehemiah 1-3; Proverbs 15; Acts 2:1-21

Motivations: Patrick Morley has wisely said, “Men, if you don’t have enough time for your families, you can be 100% certain that you are not following God’s will for your life.” Men of Integrity, November/December 2009, p.11/29

Practice to Remember: Level 1: Philippians 1:9-10; Level 2: Philippians 1:12-18

Powered Up:  If there are tears in heaven, they will be over the fact that we prayed so little.