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To Be a Man—A Message to My Sons

"You children must always obey your parents, for this is what pleases the Lord. Fathers, don't aggravate your children. If you do, they will become discouraged and quit trying."¹

When you can dream beyond today
and rise above your fears and doubts;
When you can conquer every trial
that comes to those who dare
to climb the highest heights;
When you can keep on getting up each
time you've failed…or been knocked down;
When you can walk through the
fires of criticism, and disregard
the jibes of jealous lesser men;
When you can see your greatest strength
lies in your faith and gentleness. . .
your greatest courage in admitting
your faults, and with God's help
strive to overcome them;
When you can accept responsibility
for resolving all your hurts and break
the chain from generations past;
When you can know a father's love
and feel with all your heart;
When you can love yourself, others,
and God more than earthly gain
or fame, and recognition, you will,
my son, be then a man –
and, indeed, a great man at that.²

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please grant that I will so live that my life will model the kind of father and man you want me to be so that my sons, seeing your love in me, will want the same for themselves. And please forgive me for where I have failed to so be. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name. Amen."

Note: This poem by Dick is available, beautifully printed with a landscape photo. See and order from: http://tinyurl.com/392ak6.

1. Colossians 3:20-21 (NLT).
2. “To Be a Man.” © Copyright 2001 by Dick Innes.

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