Little Eyes… Little Ears
Many fathers worry about providing for their children. Material possessions, educational degrees, and status rank low in comparison to a child’s greatest need. Children need role models who prioritize knowing and following the Heavenly Father.
No earthly father is perfect. But dads who pray, read the Bible, and live according to the Word produce children who tend to mimic what their little eyes see and little ears hear. It reminds us all of the daily impact we make on our children. But this is especially true for fathers.
Children, especially sons, usually reflect the traits they observe in their fathers. Their little eyes watch the things you do or fail to do. They observe how you respond to different situations. Their ears pick up on how you talk to others and about others. They hear your strength or weakness in your tone when faced with challenges. They look, listen, and monitor your attitude about various aspects of your life such as work, ministry, chores, habits, and fun activities. You teach them to imitate you.
Many men struggle simply because they lacked good role models as fathers. Maybe your dad was absent in your home—either physically or emotionally. Maybe he set a poor example for you to follow. But don’t use your poor behaviors as excuses or blame them on a curse.
Jesus came to break the curse of sin and death. You can still have a strong positive relationship with your children. How? Imitate our Heavenly Father! How do you imitate Him? Look at His Son, Jesus. As you mimic Jesus, your children receive a godly model to follow.
Jesus imitated the Father’s true character. Jesus offered mercy, grace, forgiveness, kindness, patience, gentleness, and truth to everyone. He taught, healed the sick, ministered and provided for others. In love, He disciplined when correction was needed. When people saw or heard Jesus, they saw and heard His Father! John 14:9 says, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” When your children see and hear you, do they see and hear Jesus?
I often witness a great example of this imitation with my seven-year-old grandson, Judgy. When we all gather as a family to eat a meal, I or someone usually asks, “Who will bless the food?” The blessing usually falls to my husband, Tony, or our sons, Ryan and Branden. However, now Judgy often proudly raises his hand and boldly says, “I will.” Everyone bows their heads and he proceeds to thank Jesus for our food.
Living with Ryan daily, Judgy’s little eyes and little ears observe his dad’s devotion to the Lord and he follows his father’s example. My heart melts each time I see my grandchildren mimic their father’s actions as he mimic’s Jesus.
Fathers, you may fool the world, but little eyes and little ears can see past facades. The things you say and do speak volumes about you and who you follow. Mimic Jesus and rest confident knowing that your sons and daughters are Covered!
I don’t know about you, but I still thank the Lord for my godly father. Even though he lives in eternity now, his impact on my life remains forever. My little eyes and little ears observed his devotion to Jesus and it influenced my walk with the Lord. I am thankful he lived a life that modeled Christ. Why? Simply …
