Browse by title articles:

Fathers

by James Watkins    

Recently we were riding along in the car with the stereo blasting the "oldies station," singing "Stop in the Name of Love" at the top of our lungs and "head dancing" (you know, jutting your chin in and out to the beat). Then a frightening revelation!

We were enjoying the same radio station, the same music, doing the same head dancing thing, wearing the same outfit (jeans, T-shirt, and over-priced sneakers) and--here's where it gets really scary--wearing the same hairstyle (Marine-issued buzz cut)!

I'm afraid to admit this. Even now, a covert government agency in charge of paranormal behavior is probably surrounding our home to take us by force to analyze this anthropological apparition!

Since the dawn of time adults ("The Establishment") and teens (the rebels without a cause) have argued over length of hair, fashion statements, and style of music. I had long hair; my dad had the buzz cut. My dad hated rock and roll; I hated Lawrence Welk. My dad thought paisley shirts looked like something the dog coughed up; I thought white socks were for nerds.

That's the way an orderly universe is supposed to operate. Anything adults hold near and dear is to be rejected by the next generation. It's been that way since God told his first two kids, "Whatever you two do, don't eat from that tree!" and immediately Adam and Eve ran off squealing, "Hey, check out that tree!"

And yet, in some kind of cultural convergence, my son and I are in sociological sync.

The same seems to be occurring with my college-age daughter. When Faith is home from Indiana Wesleyan, she actually enjoys hanging out with me and talking about her dating life. We own many of the same CD's and she has most of my sweaters in her closet. (I should point out, I don't wear any of her clothes!) More important than sharing clothes, we share the same faith and the same moral values.

So, how does one explain these "Unsolved Mysteries"? Was it Lois and I trying to live out our faith and values in front of our kids? Was it taking time to listen to Faith and Paul's ideas (sometimes pretty wild) and music (even wilder)? Was it fervent prayer that they would stay off TV talk shows and post office bulletin boards? Was it the grace of God, who learned about the pitfalls of parenting from His first two kids? Or was it simply that I've always been an overgrown kid? I think I'll check "all of the above."

It's still a mystery! And, while I can't explain it, I'm certainly planning to celebrate it this Father's Day.


-----------------
James N. Watkins Reprinted with permission from www.jameswatkins.com