Enchanted Encounter

I know, I know...I said that this would be posted on Thursday...I'm sure all of the many fans I have are bellowing under their breathe tonight as they sit in anticipation of the infinite wisdom I portray in my posts....so here goes...

Has God been breaking you this week? I have been more emotional about things, good and not so good, since I found out yesterday a definite D-day for the birth of our fourth son. Maybe it's the fact that I'm excited to see him, and scared all at the same time. Somehow I'm nervous, but not for Katherine or the baby, but more for my other three boys. I can't stop thinking about the days they were born, and how immature I was about the responsibility laying before me. I know that sounds like I didn't care enough, but maybe I didn't? It's been 5 years since the birth of our last child, and the world and the way I perceive it has changed dramatically. My priorities then and now are night and day, and I remember how incredibly selfish I had become then. I don't worry for their safety, or how they might not love the new baby, but I worry for their perception of me, and how they feel I view them. I can't help but create this never-ending list in my mind of all the things I have done to fail them as a father, and now we are about to bring another life into our family. How am I going to fail this one? Am I ready to take on the responsibility needed to care and nurture another human life? Will my older boys think that I love the new baby more than them?

As I ask myself these questions I am reminded of the story of Christ's birth. Was he born into a perfect environment? Or to perfect parents? To all of us who know His story we can confidently answer that question, and yet He was the Messiah. I'm sure Mary and Joseph weren't the perfect parents. We don't really hear much about the carpentry skills of Jesus, but I'm sure He messed up a chair or two in the process of learning...ok, maybe not, but the point is that Christ doesn't expect us to be perfect people, or perfect parents. He does expect us to always love our children, and to act out that love to them daily. He says in 1John 3:18 "Let us not love with word or with tongue, but with deed and truth." I truly believe this is the cardinal rule in parenting. We have to love our children with action, the same as Christ did for us.

Everyday I come home from work, my boys come running and yell "Daddy's Home!!!"  My heart melts every time, and in retrospect I believe that they know they are loved. I may not always be perfect, and I will make mistakes, but they know my lap is always open, and the hugs are always free. My ear is there to listen, and no matter how many more children we have, they will always be special to me, no more and no less. I don't know, one day they may read this and have a different perspective. If they do, then I want them to know that I love you more than the air I breathe, and I am so honored that God allowed me to be a part of your incredible journey. I pray the God's wisdom guides me to teach you and train you, and that you follow Him all the days of your life. You are God's chosen, and His calling on your lives are far greater than we could ever understand at this point. I am SO proud of you. You are "pretty awesome", as Gabe always says! :)

So as for me I think everything is going to be ok. My boys are handling themselves like pros and are especially happy that Greyson will get them out of school for at least a day. Katherine's in good spirits, and were picking up a few last minute necessities tomorrow. Oh,and yes I packed my Xbox...what else am I going to do while my wife is busy giving birth?