As fathers to sons, it is our responsibility to show our sons what is possible.
It is our responsibility to consistently teach and equip our sons to face any challenge or adversity with character, courage, and consistency.
One of the greatest takeaways from the movie, The Lion King, is the presence of Mufasa in his son’s life.
He’s the King of the Pride Lands, yet we notice that he is always aware of WHAT his son is doing, WHO his son is becoming, and HOW his thoughts, feelings, and actions align with his birthright…
There is a consistent, intentional LEADING from father to son, as Mufasa prepares Simba to one day become King of his dominion.
He not only takes his son to the highest point of the Pride Lands to SHOW him what is his, he calls it out as a birthright.
And there is at no point ever a time where the father loses sight of his responsibility in raising a King.
He is strong, and also gentle.
He is fierce, and also kind.
He is a Warrior, but also playful.
He is the King.
He is the guardian.
He is the hunter, the gatherer.
He is always aware.
He is always in control.
He is always leading.
Men, we are not raising Kings.
We are not showing our sons what it is to be the protectors of themselves, their families, or their communities.
We are not showing our sons what it is to be mentally, spiritually, emotionally, relationally, physically, AND financially strong. We must be strong in EVERY area that we are able.
We are not lifting our sons above our own heads to see the landscape of their potential, as it’s difficult to do with our heads shoved up our own asses, constantly fighting our own inner struggles of self-worth, value, and purpose.
We are not lifting our sons above our own heads to see the landscape of their potential, as we’ve become too physically weak to lift anything above eye level.
We are not lifting our sons above our own heads to see the landscape of their potential, as we are so afraid to see them fail that we never lift them in the first place… As we were never lifted and taught, instead, to play small and stay “safe” in the pack, so we pass on the Medal of Mediocrity to our sons.
So the question: what legacy are you leaving for your son, and who are you raising that man to become?
This leads to a deeper question: Who are you and who do you believe you can become? Have you stepped into the call on your life to be the King of your own Castle, or are you still playing it safe by sweeping the floor of someone elses?
Brother,
We are called to set the bar as high as we are able for ourselves, and to then raise our sons above that bar.
—
Previously published on Facebook.
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Photo provided by author.