Every parent … every grandparent and great-grandparent … every aunt and uncle … actually every adult who cares about what is right and wrong … who cares about serving and honoring the one true and living God … who truly desires and longs for Heaven … UNDERSTANDS the place of influence! Hopefully we realize that others are watching and paying attention to some degree at least to the lives we live! Jesus taught those who were considering becoming one of His disciples the value of influence and example in Matthew 5:13-16.
The question confronting the parents and grandparents in every generation is this: How can we steer our boys/girls … young men/women … past all of the negative influences that confront them from every direction? Those of us who recognize that the answer to this question has eternal implications really want to know what we can do.
Certainly the words of Moses directed to the children of Israel in Deuteronomy 6:1-9 have significant bearing. What we often overlook in this passage is the fact that in the teaching of these truths to the younger, the older are reminded of these truths, and they should be demonstrating what they are teaching to those under their charge! God’s Word will always stand as the gold standard … the only standard … to live, guide, and to prepare one’s life for eternity (See 2 Peter 1:3; John 12:48).
I came across the following poem a long time ago and decided it would be a good thing for all of us to read and reflect on. Would you please read it in its entirety … think about it … and reflect on it? Then, see if you don’t agree this is something of greater value to be considering than the majority of current events/news reports that we are being inundated with.
In Daddy’s Steps
I watched him playing around my door, my neighbor’s little boy of four.
I wondered why a child would choose to wear his dad’s old worn out shoes.
I saw him try with all his might to make the laces snug and tight.
I smiled to see him walk and then he’d only step right out again.
I heard him say, his voice was glad, “I want to be just like my Dad.”
I hoped his dad his steps would choose safe for his son to wear his shoes.
And then a shout and cry of joy, a “Hello, Dad,” and a “Hi-ya, Boy.”
They walked along in measured stride, each face aglow with love and pride.
“What have you done today, my lad?” “I tried to wear your old shoes, Dad.
They’re big, but when I am a man, I’ll wear your shoes, I know can.”
They stopped and stood there hand in hand, He saw his son’s tracks in the sand.
His words, a prayer, came back to me, “Lord, let my steps lead him to Thee!”
Let’s all do a better job of leading our loved ones in greater service to God and home to Heaven. Will you join me?
Bill Fairchild, Jr
What a beautiful poem to think on. Even though we have no sons we do have grandsons now. But I remember when our youngest daughter at about 2 years of age tried to wear her daddy’s shoes and to this day still tries to imitate him. Praise God. Thanks for sharing!!!