Captain Dad Sparrow
Todd Wilson
Thursday, February 4, 2010
 1 of 1
Har Dad,
"Lift anchor, hoist the main sail, cue the pirate music! Put your backs into it you bilge rats! We're headed into black waters and trouble awaits us!"
"But Sir," a young, pimple-faced teenager with fear in his eyes hollers above the roar of the sea, "these waters are uncharted and littered with reefs, wrecks, and dead men's bones. One wrong move and we're doomed to a watery grave in Davy Jones' Locker."
"Don't be afeared boy. I've been through these waters before, and together we will get through." With the salt spray in his face, Captain Dad Sparrow laughs and guides the ship through the treacherous waters … And they all live happily ever after and make a few sequels.
That's the way it is with unknown waters, captains, and … teenage sons.
It's hard sailing in the waters between childhood and manhood. The testosterone is flowing, bodies are changing, and emotions are high. Older sons argue over stupid things, challenge our instructions, and want to step out on their own but are scared to death to do so.
It's during the teen waters that I've seen dads toss up their hands in frustration, withdraw, and quit. "Fine … you don't want my help? Good. You're on your own, buddy."
Dad, our sons don't need us to quit, they need us be patient, understanding, and to guide them through the turbulent waters … waters that WE have traveled … but have forgotten just how difficult they were.
Yes, your younger sons need you … but so do your older sons (maybe even more). They need you to come alongside them, talk to them, look them in the eye, and shoot straight with them. And they need you to remember what it was like to do stupid things, want to fit in, and slump around like the bones had been sucked from your body, and you had sludge in your veins.
Dad, stay at the helm and guide them through. I know it's hard … but never let go of the wheel. When they walk away, go after them. When they say, "You always … or you never …" let them talk. Pray for them, never stop loving them, and show them what it means to be a man. The seas are rough … but you're the captain …
… you 'da dad,
© 2010 Todd Wilson. Used by permission
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