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Key Bible Verse: Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction? Amos 3:3.Bonus Reading:2 Corinthians 6:11-13; 7:2-4

The Andy Griffith Show's opening featured Sheriff Andy walking along a dirt road with his son, fishing rods in hand. What father doesn't want that same kind of intimate relationship with his son? And what Christian father doesn't long for a deep, warm spiritual relationship with his son? When a son is born, a dad dreams of the times they'll have together—hiking, or talking about life, faith, and love.

But then something begins to squeeze out the euphoria of these dreams. Around 11 or 12, the boy begins to have his own interests, skills, and dreams. He becomes less interested in the things dad wants to do and discuss and begins to move from ally to adversary. Except for when father and son share superficial social sedatives like sports and hobbies, the boy is increasingly bored and distant from his dad. As the son enters middle adolescence and prepares to leave home, most often the father-son bond is often cordial at best, with some warm memories, but with a distance that both vaguely sense. Then he leaves, and the dad ponders the loss of a friend who never really was.

But it doesn't have to be that way.

—Chap Clark in From Father to Son

My Response: Would I rate my relationship with my children as close or distant? … deep or superficial?

Adapted from From Father to Son (NavPress, 2002) by permission.

Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Help me, Lord, to be a constant, consistent presence in the life of my children, nudging them toward a life that pleases You.

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