“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’”
Romans 8:15
I passed a country church a few years ago and I noticed the sign out front. I had to scan quickly but it read something like….“Parents’ lives are their children’s guidebook”. Somebody is watching and probably watching very closely! This fact can be overwhelming, challenging, and even scary! With Fathers Day here, I thought of another statement I heard recently. “It might be that a consistent, faithful, loving, godly, ever-present Dad is the most positive and crucial thing to exist in the life of a child. The absence of such a Dad could be one of the most detrimental”. There are certainly many other factors but on Fathers Day, this is worth consideration.
Of course there are no guarantees. Good Dads have children that go off course. Children without any positive influence or even the presence of a Father at all do become godly men and women. That happens in lives that understand and accept God’s grace into their being and discover that there is a perfect, ever-present, loving Heavenly Father who is available to all.
Your story may include a wonderful father who was always there for you. Your story may be quite the opposite. Maybe it’s even a horror story as it relates to an earthly father. Regardless of our earthly situation, we can all have a wonderful relationship with the Heavenly Father.
On a hot dry September day in 1986 I was mowing the yard. As I rode by our bay window, I noticed our son Seth peering out the window. At about 9 months old, he had pulled himself up to see out. His face clearly indicated he wanted to be outside with me. Every time I passed he was still there, watching intently. These moments stirred my heart that day as a new Dad, and as a result I wrote a song titled “Just Like You”. I’d like to share part of it with you ….
“I saw his face against the window pane, he was looking out at me.
Too young to speak yet he seemed to say ‘You’re everything I’d like to be’ .
He follows in my footsteps, trying all the things I do.
Imitating me is his special way to say Dad I love you.
I wanna be just like you, I wanna walk like you do.
Help me to grow, let my life show that I belong to you.
I wanna be just like you, I wanna talk like you do.
Help me each day along my way, Dad I wanna be just like you”
Music is a gift…pass it on!
Summers come and go so quickly.
Boys grow up to be men! Men fall in love!
I would guess we just finished a really great meal at Pam’s table! Mighty satisfied look on these faces.
We try to get a pic on the last day of the season each year. And on this particular day, us and the Arctic Cat was all we had to show!
Duke and Riley took good care of Seth and me as we drove cattle in Montana!
As I mentioned, I don’t know your story but I do know there is a Father in heaven who adopts all who will let Him.
David wrote in
Psalm 27:10 –
“For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in”
And another generation is here to say, “I wanna be just like you!”
Verse 2 is sung to the Father ……..
“I could never be the perfect Dad or give my only son.
But I truly know a Father’s love because of You and all You’ve done.
So help me stay so close to You, trust in all the things You say.
Father, let me keep my eyes on You and watch You every day”
A goal for “Everyday Living!”
Linking with:
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Wonderful truths expressed beautifully. Butch, the words to your song are so moving. Your pictures tell a thousand words and I’m sure are priceless to you.
Your reflection of Christ as a father is special. Happy Father’s Day!
Thank you Bonnie!
Happy Father’s Day to you! This post is really divine and adorable…Thanks for sharing…Best Wishes!
Thank you Maristella!
Such a moving post! Our dear children grow up so quickly, don’t they? It is hard to believe how fast time goes by. We just have to make the most of each moment and praise our dear Lord for each memory He has allowed us to make. Your song is just beautiful and so true. Have a blessed Father’s Day!
Thank you for visiting, I shared your comment with my husband.
Have often said, “what would I be like if I had had a loving dad?”. And now as an adult what I know is that my Heavenly Father has loved me even more than an eartly dad could. Thank you Butch for being a wonderful example of a loving dad. Your song brought tears to my eyes.
Alice, I am so sad that you did not have a loving earthly father. But you have the perfect love of the Heavenly Father. Blessings on you sweet friend!
Such a beautiful post. Happy Fathers Day to you and Seth!
Thank you Sandra!
Beautiful memories and what a great example our Heavenly Father gave to all of us, especially fathers.
There is another song, a sad song…with similar words. “I wanna be just like you Dad, …” where the son emulated his dad in all ways of being too busy to be a dad…and then the son was too busy for Dad too. The name of the song is “the cats in the cradle”.
How refreshing to see just the opposite in your Godly family.
Blessings to all of you.
Kari, thank you! I am very familiar with “the cats in the cradle” and it is very sad. Wishing you a joy-filled day my friend!
Oh this is so sweet! Happy Father’s Day Butch & Seth!!
Jenna
Thank you Jenna!
Beautiful song Butch. Enjoyed all the pics of you and Seth together. God has blessed your family with extraordinary love and God is the center. Loved the picture of Ella Mae.
Thank you sweet friend! Hope Bob had a wonderful day!
Happy Fathers Day to Butch and Seth and I loved ever note of this post!
Thank you Jeanie!
Very beautiful words of that song that, evidently, come from the depths of the soul. Being parents is something immense and full of love, and dedicated throughout life.
It is a very special publication, thank you for sharing so much love.
Dolores
Hola Dolores, gracias por tu visita, querido amigo! ¿Ha llegado el verano? hace mucho calor y humedad aquí. Enviando amor y abrazos!
That was so beautiful. All the pictures through the years and the message are so very special, thank you for sharing. My dad died when I was 23. I’m 65 now and still miss him every single day.
Oh Roxanne how young you were when your dad died. Have a beautiful Monday dear friend!
Wonderful post. I have had the privilege of watching Butch walk his talk for many years, of seeing Seth born, grow into a godly young man, marry, and now “pay it forward” with Ella Mae. I even have a DVD of Butch singing “Just like You” in our home in Raleigh when Seth was very young. Wonderful memories through the years of truly godly men.
Patti, thank you so much. We enjoyed having the family here for lunch yesterday. Gideon and Ella Mae had the best time playing together. On a side note, I was so thankful to see that Tara’s bedroom was repaired. Happy Monday sweet friend!
Perfect post for Father’s Day with such truth! Love all the sweet photos as well!
Thank you Lea❤️
What a beautiful relationship legacy! Your family are lovely Pam. Our Father’s Day is in September here in Australia.
I have both an amazing Heavenly Father & a great earthly …I am truly blessed. 😀
Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer!
Butch… what a beautiful tribute! The song you wrote touched my heart.
Happy Father’s Day to you and your son!
Thanks dear friend!
Awesome Pam! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home.
Always my pleasure!