The month of June sets apart a special Sunday in which we honor our fathers. Thus, I would like to share a few lines from a poem I came across many years ago entitled, “The Little Chap Who Follows Me”.

“A careful man I ought to be; A little fellow follows me:
I do not dare to go astray,
For fear he’ll go the self-same way.
I cannot once escape his eyes:
Whate’er he sees me do he tries-
Like me, he says, he’s going to be;
The little chap who follows me.”

Although it was written by a father and for fathers, it’s message of influence speaks loud and clear to all of us. Like it or not we are being watched, not only by our families, but the world. The question I must ask myself on a daily basis is, “how are my words and actions affecting my life, my family and my world?”

Recently, I read an account of William, a father who had throughout the day criticized his young son for the way he washed his face, spread butter on his bread and gulped his food. Even when his son had said goodbye to him as he headed off to work, William replied, “Hold your shoulders back!”

Neither William nor his son had a very pleasant day. Whereas William was consumed with remorse, his young son was filled with fear. Nevertheless, at the end of the day, unconditional love caused the boy to greet his dad joyously. William’s chastisement of himself enabled him to forgo his critical attitude and choose a more encouraging approach to child rearing.

Naturally, we all have and will continue to make mistakes. Besides saying, “I’m sorry, we can learn from our shortcomings. Abraham Lincoln, who at one time was extremely critical of everyone, did this and became well known for his success in dealing with people.

The brighter side of life challenges us today to choose healthier attitudes for a better tomorrow. Indeed, someone is watching. Wishing all fathers a well deserved and Happy Father’s Day.

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