I remember the day that we found out we were expecting Nesira. I was so young. We were so not ready. Suddenly being a grown up and adult wasn't just a hypothetical someday, it was right now. The "honeymoon" phase with my darling wife was over and it was time for the "parenting" phase. There was joy mixed with fear, excitement with intimidation, it was a wonderful time.
Now I sit here on Father's Day 10 years later, and my heart aches because 4 of our 7 kids are not at home. At least, that's how it feels.
I should be celebrating with my girls. Enjoying the breakfast they made for me. Playing outside. Going fishing. But I'm just relaxing and feeling a little bit sad.
L's birthday is June 18. He will turn 7. I wonder if he is watching the Copa America in the group home? I wonder if he is outside pretending to be Neymar and playing with his brothers and sister, or with neighborhood kids.
I wonder if I'll be a good dad for them.
Being a dad isn't easy. The Bible itself doesn't even have very many good examples.
Adam? Stood by and watched while his wife ate the forbidden fruit, and then partook of it himself; and then blamed God!
Abraham? Slept with his wife's servant and had a son; then sent that son off into the wilderness to die when the child of promise finally did arrive.
Isaac? Played favorites and wouldn't discipline either son, leading to two people groups constantly fighting one another.
Jacob? Multiple children with four different women and then played favorites and caused 1 of his 12 boys to be sold by the rest into slavery.
David? Multiple children with multiple wives, including murderers, rapists, liars and others.
The list of poor fathers is longer than the list of good ones from our Biblical examples. And yet ... Jesus was obedient to his earthly father Joseph and to his heavenly Father God. And through his example we see that discipline is hard and that fatherhood is hard, but obedience brings great rewards.
As a Christian Dad, you set a path and walk it faithfully and you pray that your children see your example and choose the same way. But you cannot force them. You must influence, but you shouldn't bully. You must love, but you shouldn't overbear. You must exemplify courage and faith, but you must not exasperate.
I'm humbled to be blessed with the three girls that we already have and I am humbled to be called to father even more kids through adoption. Those are just some thoughts this day, a day on which we celebrate dads everywhere.
A couple other thoughts? Right now you can support our adoption by purchasing a t-shirt or a CD from us. T-Shirts are $20 and CD's are $10. Thank you so much for your generosity!
Now I sit here on Father's Day 10 years later, and my heart aches because 4 of our 7 kids are not at home. At least, that's how it feels.
I should be celebrating with my girls. Enjoying the breakfast they made for me. Playing outside. Going fishing. But I'm just relaxing and feeling a little bit sad.
L's birthday is June 18. He will turn 7. I wonder if he is watching the Copa America in the group home? I wonder if he is outside pretending to be Neymar and playing with his brothers and sister, or with neighborhood kids.
I wonder if I'll be a good dad for them.
Being a dad isn't easy. The Bible itself doesn't even have very many good examples.
Adam? Stood by and watched while his wife ate the forbidden fruit, and then partook of it himself; and then blamed God!
Abraham? Slept with his wife's servant and had a son; then sent that son off into the wilderness to die when the child of promise finally did arrive.
Isaac? Played favorites and wouldn't discipline either son, leading to two people groups constantly fighting one another.
Jacob? Multiple children with four different women and then played favorites and caused 1 of his 12 boys to be sold by the rest into slavery.
David? Multiple children with multiple wives, including murderers, rapists, liars and others.
The list of poor fathers is longer than the list of good ones from our Biblical examples. And yet ... Jesus was obedient to his earthly father Joseph and to his heavenly Father God. And through his example we see that discipline is hard and that fatherhood is hard, but obedience brings great rewards.
As a Christian Dad, you set a path and walk it faithfully and you pray that your children see your example and choose the same way. But you cannot force them. You must influence, but you shouldn't bully. You must love, but you shouldn't overbear. You must exemplify courage and faith, but you must not exasperate.
I'm humbled to be blessed with the three girls that we already have and I am humbled to be called to father even more kids through adoption. Those are just some thoughts this day, a day on which we celebrate dads everywhere.
A couple other thoughts? Right now you can support our adoption by purchasing a t-shirt or a CD from us. T-Shirts are $20 and CD's are $10. Thank you so much for your generosity!
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