My child arrived just the other day,
He came to the world in the usual way,
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talking 'fore I knew it and as he grew
He'd say I'm gonna be like you, Dad
You know I'm gonna be like you.

This song by Harry Chapin has always been one of my favorites. I enjoyed the simple melody and the chorus, but it wasn't until I was older that I finally caught the meaning. And now as a father, I find myself afraid of becoming like the father in this song. I don't ever want to be too busy for my children and family with the cares and worries of this world. Yet, how easy it is to put work, and other responsibilities ahead of our children. How easy it is to push our children to the back burner and let the needs of the present dominate our lives. This song reminds me that what I do today with my children will affect them in the future. What kind of generation are we raising up today?

I have been attending a number of seminars over the last few weeks and came across an astonishing statistic. Columbia University did a study on the effects parents had on their children being more apt to drug and alcohol addiction. The studies found that a child from a single parent home had a 30% chance of drug and or alcohol abuse. It also found that a child from a home with both parents present, yet without a loving relationship with their father had a 68% chance of the same abuses. That same study found that children from families where the father had a loving relationship with his children reduced the risk of alcohol and drug abuse to .05%. So often, we would say that having both parents present is much better, but we need to refine that. Fathers, we need to face the fact that being the provider is not enough. We are responsible for the spiritual development of our children. God puts us as the head over our families (Eph. 5:23) and we gladly take that as meaning we are the leaders. How are we doing as spiritual leaders? Do we lead our children into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ? Are we showing our children the love God has shown us, or does our spiritual life begin when we enter the church on Sunday and end when we leave it?

I have a few suggestions for us to put into practice that can help us show our children that being a Christian pervades every aspect and part of our lives. First, try to eat dinner together and have a question or verse to discuss. Maybe start keeping a Bible on the dinner table to open for a short devotional or reading before, during or after the meal. Second, as you go through your day, look for ways that God is working in your life, and share that with your family. Children need to see that you are trying to live out your faith and that Christianity is not just a Sunday thing. Third, pray with your children. More and more often, I have encountered children who are unwilling, or say they don't know how, to pray. You might think this is my responsibility to teach the children to pray. But it is very difficult to do when I have such limited time with them. And plus, shouldn't the head of the family be the teacher of this. I want to teach my son and daughter to pray. I don't want to rely on someone else. Let them hear and see you pray. Live out the example and show your children daily what a Christian is.

Harry Chapin's song closes with some sage words that we all need to think about. Remember the truth that's stated here: Our children will most likely become very similar to who we are. Let's be pursuing God, so our children will do the same.

l've long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind"
He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time
You see my new job's a hassle and kids have the flu
But it's sure nice talking to you, Dad
Its been sure nice talking to you"

And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me