I Wanna Be Just Like You

There was a song out a few years ago by Phillips, Craig and Dean that went like this:

Lord, I want to be just like You, 'cause he wants to be just like me
I want to be a holy example for his innocent eyes to see
Help me be a living Bible, Lord that my little boy can read
I want to be just like You, 'cause he wants to be like me

It's a great song to sing, but do I really live like that? I got up Sunday and at the end of my message, I paid tribute to my dad; I cried and I said that I hope I can live like my dad because he lived like Jesus, but when I reflect on my life, it seems like I've struggled more than I should. How about you? I want to be an example to my kids, but sometimes it seems that the harder I try, the more I fail. I know that most kids tend to turn out like their parents, and I am REALLY praying that they only get the good qualities! About the time I'm ready to give up, I come across something like this:

Excerpts from a Father of the Year Essay Contest sponsored by Fathers.com:

Taylor - 2nd grader
"My dad is a very kind person. He loves to play with me. He always gets me what I want. I am glad I have a kind dad. If I didn't have a dad, I would feel lonely. But when I do have my dad, I feel happy. My dad always comforts me when I am scared. When there is a thunder storm, he lets me sleep with him (SORRY NICK), and when I can't fall asleep, he helps me go to sleep. He prays with me before I go to bed. I would not sell my dad for anything, not even a race car. My dad is very tall; he gets things for me that I can't reach. I love my dad and he loves me too."

Roland - A dad who lost is father and is dealing with Father's Day w/o him
"For all my life, Daddy was always there. Whether I was in a mood to talk to him or not... his love for me was always unconditional. It didn't matter if he was having a bad day or not. Now, there's one less person in the world who unconditionally loves me. And I really, really, wish I could call him on Sunday.

Neil
My dad was part of what Tom Brokaw refers to as the "Greatest Generation." After returning from fighting in World War II, he started raising a family. He worked two jobs, usually leaving for work well before my older brother and I awakened, and returning home well after we went to bed. My ad had many great plans for his family. Unfortunately, when I was 9 years old, I recall being told that my mother had cancer. My father did everything he could for the next two years to save her, but my mother eventually died. My dad lost the love of his life, all of his dreams and, for the most part, all of his finances (paying medical bills). He quickly had to give up his second job, switch gears to become both father and mother to two young boys, learn cooking, how to do laundry, as well as assume responsibility for all the other things normally done by both parents. He had to deal with the tremendous grief which consumed both my brother and me, not to mention finding additionally finances. My dad raised two sons who both went on to college and careers. He died 13 years ago. Although my father sacrificed all of his dreams to raise his sons, I do think he lived a fulfilling life."

These stories just remind me that it's not that hard to be a good Father and it's the hardest thing I could possibly do! Sacrifice... time... love... security... hugs... encouraging words... faith! There are many more things that my dad showed me, and I pray I can show my daughter and son! I wanna be just like Jesus... O dear Lord, PLEASE HELP!

Go to www.fathers.com for more stories, to sign up for their e-mails, to join the 1 million father's challenge, and to get tools to help you be a better dad. Also, be watching for a special daughter/father event coming to OKC in the Fall of 2009.