Son's Validation

One evening my oldest son asked me a very interesting question. No, it was not the birds and the bees question, but it was, "Dad do I look like you?" He also said, "Will I look like you when I become a man?" I said, "Of course you look like me son and when you become a man, you will look just like your dad." My son leaped with excitement and said, "Hurray! I am going to look just like daddy when I become a man."

Now this was not just some moment of entertainment or silliness. My son was seeking validation of his identity by asking those questions. He used me as his standard to measure his manhood. I am glad that I am a father in the home but what happens to the son whose father is present, but ignores the question? What happens to the son who looks for his father, but he is not there? What happens to the child who has never seen his father?

Fathers make a BIG difference in the development of their children. I only hope more fathers will realize the difference they can make.