Now I have never done a two-page blog before, but I thought Confirmation Day was the day to do it. Many know the song “Cat’s in the Cradle” by Harry Chapin. The lyrics always make me think.
Here’s how it goes:
“My child arrived just the other day He came to the world in the usual way. But there were planes to catch and there were bills to pay He learned to walk while I was away.
He was talking before I knew, and as he grew He'd say, "I'm gonna be like you, dad, You know, I'm gonna be like you"
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon Little boy blue and the man in the moon. “When you coming home, dad?" "I don't know when
We'll get together then, son, you know we'll have a good time then"
Sounds very innocent right? We are all so busy,
When my son turned ten just the other day he said, "Thanks for the ball, dad, come on and let's play, can you teach me to throw?" I said, "Not today, I got a lot to do" he said, "That's okay" And he walked away but his smile never dimmed he said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah You know, I'm gonna be like him"
We are setting the example for our kids every day.
Well, he came from college just the other day so much like a man I just had to say: "Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?" He shook his head and he said with a smile: "What I'd really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys, see you later Can I have them please?"
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon Little boy blue and the man in the moon. "When you coming home, son?" "I don't know when, but we'll get together then, dad, We're gonna have a good time then"
Did you notice the table turn as they say? When, you coming home son?
Well, I've long since retired and my son's moved away, called him up just the other day I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind" He said, "I'd love to, dad, if I could find the time" "You see, my new job's a hassle and the kid's got the flu. But it's sure nice talking to you, dad, it's been sure nice talking to you"
And as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me.
Grown up just like me!
Is that a good thing, that your kids have grown up just like you or do you see a better road that you wish they would have taken?
It is a fact of life that with our experiences we see things differently. It is also a fact of life that we can stay the same or change with that knowledge. The most important fact in life is that our children will follow what they are shown as they grow. They will follow our example; they will grow up just like us. As I read those song lyrics they always make me think of my faith journey and where I guided my kids with their faith journeys.
When I was young, when my children were young, I didn’t make time for God. Sure, they were baptized, sure they got through the requirements of Catechism class at our church; that was what a parent did. But the downfall is, that was pretty much where it ended. I forgot to teach them about faith in their everyday lives. I didn’t take time to teach them to pray, I didn’t take time to pray with them. I didn’t take time to go to church with them as they became adults. I didn’t take time to do the things I know now that I should have done. And guess what; they are growing up just like me. Missing out on the joy of faith and a relationship with God when they need it most. Missing years of peace as they deal with the world on its terms instead of relying on God. Saying, maybe we will go to church next week, not today.
We have another generation losing the importance of Jesus Christ. In our world faith has been torn-up, torn-down, made into something optional, and worst of all it has been left by the wayside by too many. The world and its ways have been given reign over life, and the sad part is we know it will not end well. For no matter what we want to believe God has never changed; His commandments have never changed. His plan for His world has never changed.
It is up to the last remnant of believers to change this trend, or our kids will be lost forever. They will grow up in a worse time than when faith became our choice instead of a requirement. They will not know faith at all.
May we see our mistakes, may we admit they were mistakes. May we humble our hearts, give up our plans and follow God’s. Then our children will have a new outlook on life, and they can grow up just like we know they should; now that we have seen the light.
Just My Thoughts
Pastor Scott