A Prayer For My Son
Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.
Build me a son whose wishes will not take the place of deeds; a son who will know Thee — and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge.
Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail.
Build me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goals will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.
And after all these things are his, give him, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, and the meekness of true strength.
Then I, his father, will dare to whisper, “I have not lived in vain.”
As a mother, my heart breaks into a million pieces every time I hear a cry, see a tear, or sense unhappiness in my boys.
As much I was want to remove every obstacle, ease every pain, and prevent any sorrow, I have to remind myself that, to be the man MacArthur prays for in him poem, or the men I know my boys can be, they both have to learn how to manipulate and embrace everything the world has to offer.
That doesn't mean, however, that I won't provide them with comfort and unconditional love. If I were to add to MacArthur's prayer, it would be this...
Build me a son that is secure in the love of his family, and uses that security provide comfort and love to all mankind.
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