Two Years of Fatherhood

Studying: 2 Corinthians 2-5

Memorizing: Romans 1:1-15

Entertainment: 30 min.

Thoughts: Good, but Devil at work

I hope this doesn't seem like a cop out.  Just for clarification, if on a day like this I blog about something else, it doesn't mean I haven't been in God's Word.  The Lord blessed me with wonderful time in 2 Corinthians this morning, and I'm enjoying working my way through Romans chapter 1.  It is my full intention to regularly blog through books of the Bible, but there may be days like this where I pause to highlight a specific subject or event.

Today marks 2 years since I became a dad (in the post-birth since).  On this day 2 years ago I was going about my regular day in Yazoo City.  Cristy and her mom, who had come down from North Carolina to be with us through Isaiah's birth, had gone to Jackson for a regular visit with the doctor.  Isaiah still wasn't supposed to be delivered until around the first of March.  I received a call that Monday afternoon from Cristy.  On the other end of the line my wife's timid voice said, "Um, we're headed to the hospital right now.  I'm in labor."

In the moments that followed I completely fulfilled every stereotype that Hollywood has ever shown of a man whose wife is about to give birth.  I ran around the house picking up random things and putting them in a duffle bag, dashing out the door.  The drive from Yazoo City to Jackson took about 45 minutes.  I remember praying during that time.  While I was excited, I was also very concerned.  It was crucial that Isaiah be delivered by c-section.  Natural childbirth could risk causing further damage to the defect on his back which could result in a multitude of problems.  I have not the time nor the energy to relate all of the details of Isaiah's birth, surgeries and 23 days in ICU before we were able to bring him home.  Suffice it to say, he was born, and here we are.  

But what I do want ponder for a moment is the amazing effect being a father has had on my life. When Isaiah was born something was "awakened" within me.  A sense, a love an emotion came alive that either wasn't there before or had just never been jolted to life.  I loved this little 4 1/2 pound of flesh and blood.  I was ready to defend him, fight for him, and even die for him. He was precious to me.  For years before I had understood in part the love of God the Father from a receiving end, being a child myself.  But for the first time I seemed to gain just a miniscule sense of the love of God the Father from a giving end.  The words "How great the Father's love" struck my heart like never before.

As Isaiah has grown other things have impressed me.  I walked into a room once when Isaiah was just a few weeks old and said something to Cristy.  Immediately Isaiah became excited when he heard me.  As just an infant he knew my voice and it brought him comfort and joy.  I couldn't help but think about how the sheep know the voice of the Shepherd.

Then I remember when the first babbles and noises started.  I delighted to hear even the simplest noises come from the mouth of my child.  The first "da-da" and the first "ma-ma" brought us joy.  Again I couldn't help but think about how the Father delights in the prayers of his children.  

As two years have passed now I pray for what lies ahead, pleading God's mercy that he would allow me many more years of being a father.  I pray that he would grant me grace in my earthly fathering to reflect him in love.