I Learned It From Watching You...
The other day Grant was recounting his Sunday School experience to me. We sang this song, played this game, made this craft, etc. Then he told me something I'll never forget. A teacher asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. At first he was undecided between a fireman or a policeman. Who could blame him? Every 4 year old wants to be a civil servant. I didn't get over such aspirations until I was 24. After thinking about his career conundrum, Grant said that he rather be a daddy so he could be like me.
As a man it's easy to qualify my self-worth in direct proportion to my net-worth, earning potential, degrees, and career path. Likewise it's easy to trample myself for lacking in any of those areas.
As a father, I'm called to a greater purpose that transcends selfish goals and aspirations. The legacy I build through my children will trump anything I could ever accomplish at work.
I don't remember being 4 years old and I'm not sure if Grant will either. I grew up the son of a machinist and my Dad was the strongest, smartest, fastest guy in the world. I knew that he loved me and would do anything for me. That was sufficient for me. Any awareness I had of socioeconomic status was shelved by my father's love and the security I felt in it. I'm sure that at times through the drone of milling machines and the haze of cutting oil he lamented missed opportunities and pined for something better. It's a natural male reaction, but there are more important things. He realized it. He couldn't be the father he is without that knowledge.
Judging by Grant's Sunday School summation, I've stumbled on the same revelation. Although, I'm still working on it. I still weigh myself on the balance of my accomplishments vs. my potential. Slowly I'm letting things go and focusing on making my family my greatest accomplishment.
As a man it's easy to qualify my self-worth in direct proportion to my net-worth, earning potential, degrees, and career path. Likewise it's easy to trample myself for lacking in any of those areas.
As a father, I'm called to a greater purpose that transcends selfish goals and aspirations. The legacy I build through my children will trump anything I could ever accomplish at work.
I don't remember being 4 years old and I'm not sure if Grant will either. I grew up the son of a machinist and my Dad was the strongest, smartest, fastest guy in the world. I knew that he loved me and would do anything for me. That was sufficient for me. Any awareness I had of socioeconomic status was shelved by my father's love and the security I felt in it. I'm sure that at times through the drone of milling machines and the haze of cutting oil he lamented missed opportunities and pined for something better. It's a natural male reaction, but there are more important things. He realized it. He couldn't be the father he is without that knowledge.
Judging by Grant's Sunday School summation, I've stumbled on the same revelation. Although, I'm still working on it. I still weigh myself on the balance of my accomplishments vs. my potential. Slowly I'm letting things go and focusing on making my family my greatest accomplishment.
posted by Matt at
7:55 AM
1 Comments:
This is an excellent blog post. Thanks for being authentic and real. Best thing I've read all month.
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