Gò0dNews for Everyone
Like Father, Like Son
J
by Donnie Jenkins
ohn 5:19-23: “Jesus replied, ‘Truly I tell you, the Son
ginormous “viewfinders” that are reminiscent of your
is not able to do anything on his own, but only what
childhood. If you remember the original “viewfinders,” you
he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father
would insert these circular disc slides with pictures into the
does, the Son likewise does these things. For the Father
slot ever so gracefully. In doing so, it allowed you for the
loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing, and he
moment to feel as though you were in the very presence (at
will show him greater works than these so that you will be
a distance, of course) of what you were seeing. The reason
amazed…so that all people may honor the Son just as they
these “viewfinders” are there on those observation decks is
honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.’” I must say, one of my greatest joys in my life is being a dad. To hear our son say, “Dad, ______” gets my attention every time. There is something to be said about a father’s presence in his child’s life. Our son is now 23 years old. My wife, throughout his journey from being a young child to now being a young adult (a.k.a. a millennial), has often reminded me of the influence my words and presence have in his life even today. She says when I encourage him, compliment him, or even respond to his solicited advice, it tends to make a more lasting impression on him. As he has matured into the godly young man he is, I strive to refrain
to give you and me the opportunity to see things in a way
from automatically trying to tell him what to do in his life
that we could not from our own perspective.
decisions. Rather, I like to respond to him with possible
There is something that causes dads to swell up inside
options for him to consider in making those decisions.
(besides tacos, beans, and burgers) when we hear someone
Within the options offered, I prefer to frame those in a way
say, “He reminds me so much of you,” or, “He looks just
that allows him to see the “bigger picture” or a “broader
like you,” etc. Being present in our kids’ lives, whether they
view.” By doing this, it allows him to still be the one to make
are a toddler, teen, or millennial, is about helping them
the decisions with a greater degree of confidence.
become more like our Heavenly Father than those of us as
If you have ever been to places like Rock City, Mount
their earthly father.
positioned observation decks for you and me to enhance our tourist experience. Typically, what you find is several
24 // March 2020
About The Author
Rushmore, etc., then you know they have prominently Donnie Jenkins has been married to his wife, Wendy, for 28 years. They have one son, Jonah. Donnie is the pastor at New Union Church in Georgetown, Tennessee, and also serves in the Cleveland area as a workplace chaplain with Corporate Chaplains of America, which is located in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
