Generations of Men

Grandpa Joe and his grandson hike near Bowman Bay
This past weekend I went hiking with colleagues and friends in northwestern Washington State, along the coast near Deception Pass. I had the opportunity to watch three generations of men in my colleague Joe's family. Grandpa Joe is a scientist who enthusiastically studies, publishes and talks about gull behavior. Joe's son is an engineer and seems much quieter than his dad. And Joe's grandson is a busy little tyke, bustling about and observing things intently, much like his grandpa but not yet as smiley.

I found myself reflecting on what happens when a father nurtures a son, and later a grandson. I have a long ways to go before I get it figured out. In observing various families I am convinced that a father can nurture much more similarly to a mother than society seems to recognize. And sons turn to their fathers for encouragement, guidance and reassurance more than I thought they did. There's a quiet shaping, protecting and modeling going on that is both intentional and serendipitous.

I believe we don't give it enough credit in this world, nor has behavioral science studied it enough. If we did, I think, we would as a society recognize the depth of the tragedy that takes place when that bond is broken or missing, as it is for millions of dads and lads in our poor, fractured world. And we would do all we could to prevent or repair those broken bonds.

And if we could better understand what it means to properly be a grandfather, father or son, then I think we might better conceptualize what it means to have a heavenly Father and to be children of God. Encouragement, guidance and reassurance. Shaping, protecting and modeling. Walking hand-in-hand or being carried on the shoulders of our Father. Just imagine that.