The Man Your Son Will Be
(for Jared)
He lies there safe, asleep,
just as you tucked him in.
His breathing’s steady, soft, and deep.
There’s drool upon his little chin.
His dream becomes a smile,
and you respond in kind.
You wish that you could watch a while
but can’t, because its time
you left for work. His mother’s love
will guide him through the day.
Your trust that He who reigns above
will keep them safe while you’re away
assures you it’s all right to leave.
You haven’t left their care to chance:
a loving Heavenly Father weaves
the cloth of circumstance.
To Him you daily pray
that this your firstborn son
will choose the straight and narrow way
and in his life become
a follower of righteousness,
a man whose strength resides
in purity and faithfulness,
a man who never hides
behind the weakness of his flesh
but keeps his thoughts and actions true
to priesthood oaths, who does his best,
and every Sabbath day renews
his pledge to represent,
remember, and obey.
He’s disciplined and ever-bent
on doing good; he isn’t swayed
by property or prominence,
power, prestige, or pride,
but lives his life by covenants
and seeks the Spirit as his guide.
You and his mother wage a war
against the powers of sin.
The stakes are high, the conflict sore,
but there’s a way to win:
if you a worthy pattern give,
he’ll follow in your wake.
Your son will find in how you live
the path that he should take.
He lies there safe, asleep,
just as you tucked him in.
His breathing’s steady, soft, and deep.
There’s drool upon his little chin.
You need not fear if you but can
each night on bended knee
report that you have been the man
you pray your son will be.
just as you tucked him in.
His breathing’s steady, soft, and deep.
There’s drool upon his little chin.
His dream becomes a smile,
and you respond in kind.
You wish that you could watch a while
but can’t, because its time
you left for work. His mother’s love
will guide him through the day.
Your trust that He who reigns above
will keep them safe while you’re away
assures you it’s all right to leave.
You haven’t left their care to chance:
a loving Heavenly Father weaves
the cloth of circumstance.
To Him you daily pray
that this your firstborn son
will choose the straight and narrow way
and in his life become
a follower of righteousness,
a man whose strength resides
in purity and faithfulness,
a man who never hides
behind the weakness of his flesh
but keeps his thoughts and actions true
to priesthood oaths, who does his best,
and every Sabbath day renews
his pledge to represent,
remember, and obey.
He’s disciplined and ever-bent
on doing good; he isn’t swayed
by property or prominence,
power, prestige, or pride,
but lives his life by covenants
and seeks the Spirit as his guide.
You and his mother wage a war
against the powers of sin.
The stakes are high, the conflict sore,
but there’s a way to win:
if you a worthy pattern give,
he’ll follow in your wake.
Your son will find in how you live
the path that he should take.
He lies there safe, asleep,
just as you tucked him in.
His breathing’s steady, soft, and deep.
There’s drool upon his little chin.
You need not fear if you but can
each night on bended knee
report that you have been the man
you pray your son will be.
Poet‘s comments about “The Man Your Son Will Be”
I have great confidence that my sons-in-law and my son will be good fathers. I remember what it was like as a young father to hope and pray that I could overcome my weaknesses and stay disciplined enough to be the example I wanted to be to my children. Watching my children grow has always been a great motivation for me. I still have weaknesses, and I know that my shortcomings are most apparent to those closest to me, so I still hope and pray. I wrote this poem for Jared. He’s the father of my only grandson—so far. His name is Nathan, and his father is doing a superb job. Maybe this poem will be an extra motivation and reminder for him—and others—at those times when some extra motivation or a reminder is helpful. I know it is, and will be, for me.
