Just Like Dad

Just Like Dad
by Brodie Swisher

I was out behind the house recently, slingin’ arrows across the pasture with my little boy, Aidan. Such times have become my favorite part of the day. We both enjoy sneakin’ out of the house after dinner when the days get longer, and we can shoot our bows ‘til nearly bedtime. We’ve discovered it to be a great way to avoid chores and taking a bath. On this particular evening I noticed Aidan squirming around in circles as he tried to shove his handful of arrows into the back pocket of his jeans. When I asked him what he was up to he simply said, “I wanna put my arrows in my back pocket, just like you dad!”

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It was a simple reminder of how closely my son watches every move I make. I am humbled by the fact that he wants to do what I do, be who I am, and act like me…even as a six-year-old boy. The reality of the fact that my little boy follows my lead is a tremendous blessing. But more than that, it’s a gut-check to the fact that I’ve gotta man up as I lead that little dude. The question is: What am I leading him to? What am I leading him through? And what am I leading him away from? Do we as dads lead our children to uncompromising faith in Christ? Do we help lead them through the tough days of life and encourage them to keep longing for the better days that are sure to come? Do we lead them away from the danger of a life of sin that wants to seize and capture their soul? As a dad, we are either leading our children to a life of great and godly things, or a life of death and destruction. That’s it! There’s only two trails to take. Which path are you and your child on today?

“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children…” Deuteronomy 6:5-7

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