There’s a song by Phillips, Craig & Dean that has meant a lot to me as a father. I sang this to my son Matt when he was around four in a church. To this day I call him “Bub”.
I want to be just like you (title)
He climbs in my lap for a goodnight hug
He calls me Dad and I call him Bub
With his faded old pillow and a bear named Pooh
He snuggles up close and says, “I want to be like you”
I tuck him in bed and I kiss him goodnight
Trippin’ over the toys as I turn out the light
And I whisper a prayer that someday he’ll see
He’s got a father in God ’cause he’s seen Jesus in me
Lord, I want to be just like You
‘Cause he wants to be just like me
I want to be a holy example
For his innocent eyes to see
Help me be a living Bible, Lord
That my little boy can read
I want to be just like You
‘Cause he wants to be like me
Got to admit I’ve got so far to go
Make so many mistakes and I’m sure that You know
Sometimes it seems no matter how hard I try
With all the pressures in life I just can’t get it all right
But I’m trying so hard to learn from the best
Being patient and kind, filled with Your tenderness
‘Cause I know that he’ll learn from the things that he sees
And the Jesus he finds will be the Jesus in me
Right now from where he stands I may seem mighty tall
But it’s only ’cause I’m learning from the best Father of them all
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2, ESV) (Listen)
“I whisper a prayer that someday he’ll see He’s got a father in God ’cause he’s seen Jesus in me”
Amen brother!
Truly one of the best songs ever. Man what a responsibility we have for our children and no other song I have ever heard tugs at my heart strings like this one does. To think that my two kids eternal destiny has nearly everthing to do with how i present myself to them before the Lord is an amazing thing to ponder. I pray that we all will take time to dwell on this thought the next time we act out in anger over a mess the kids have made or a mistake we all know we made when we were younger and likley still make today. Kids are kids and we are in charge of seeing that they will see in us the Christ who we serve and if we are not painting that picture for them then we are likley painting something very ugly. Its only cause were learning from the best father of them all how powerful those words are if we only took more time to show it.
I have searched for this song for about 6 years now and have not been able to find it and i did not no wo te artist was. thank you so muchfor posting this what ever your reasons were
Thank you so much for your Christian Ministry. I especially am encouraged by this site because it focuses on Fathering.
I am a grandfather, now, but I remember when my first son was 2 or 3. The message of this song was in my spirit through the annointing of the Holy Ghost. This was back about in fall of 1977. I’m not sure if the song was even written yet.
Then one day I heard the song on a Christian radio station. And I said, ” WOW!!! That is exactly what I have been feeling in my spirit. Thank you Lord for this song.”
It has inpired me through the years to press for the mark in Christ Jesus to be the best dad I can be for my 3 boys.
Thanks again for your online ministry.
Sincerely,
Earl K. Davis, Sr.