Build Me a Son

While recently waiting to be seated in a restaurant with Genee and the children, my attention came across a poem which was framed prominently upon the wall. It is written by General Douglas MacArthur, the five-star general who rose to prominence during World War II. Those familiar with American history probably have an understanding of MacArthur’s decorated service to our country. Many historians rank him as one of the greatest military leaders the United States has ever produced. However, this poem focused not upon his military prowess, but upon that role which he deemed most important—that of a father to his son.

After being named National Father of the Year in 1942, he would receive the award while making this statement:

By profession I am a soldier and take pride in that fact. But I am prouder — infinitely prouder — to be a father.

A soldier destroys in order to build; the father only builds, never destroys. The one has the potentiality of death; the other embodies creation and life.

And while the hordes of death are mighty, the battalions of life are mightier still. It is my hope that my son, when I am gone, will remember me not from the battle but in the home repeating with him our simple daily prayer, ‘Our Father Who Art in Heaven.'

During 1942, the year in which he would lead Allied forces in the war against Japan in the Pacific, MacArthur penned the following poem, which he titled, “A Father’s Prayer”:

Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, 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 goal 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, add, I pray, enough of 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.

What kind of prayers are you praying for your children? Parents, let us remember the admonition of the Psalmist, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain” (127:1).

Privileged to be your Pastor,

Jason