Some of you, observant types, would have noticed that last week I didn’t publish an article on this site. It’s the first time I haven’t done so in a while. Well, I think I have a pretty good reason why I didn’t, and that reason is this: I was in the hospital spending time with my wife and newborn son. That’s right, I’m a daddy!
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I try to be organized with this blog. So much so that I have many articles that I could have easily posted. I even brought my laptop to the hospital with the intent of publishing an article; it’s not abnormal for me to bring my MacBook places when I travel to keep articles churning on this site. But I decided not to this time.
This site is a blog, but others have told me it’s a ministry. Since this is a ministry (I still use the word “ministry” loosely), I wanted to make a statement both to myself and others, which is family is more important than ministry.
Nevertheless, I’m back to blogging and now I’m a daddy. Before I forget what it’s like to experience the birth of a firstborn child, I want to get my feelings out there. I’m much more of a thinker than a feeler, but I’ve been feeling things this week (which I’m told is a good thing, who knew?) and want to share them here.
Mostly, I feel thankful.
I feel thankful to God for his provision of a child. To my wife for her endurance and toughness and care for our son. To my church family for all their support, and my extended family, too. I feel thankful that the million things that had to go right for birth to happen did, and everything is okay.
Our son was born during the biggest snowstorm to hit the state of Missouri in quite some time. In God’s providence, we made it to the hospital just over an hour before the storm hit. We had ups and downs during the labor process, but ultimately we gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Don’t have time to spell out all the details here, but suffice to say God was gracious to us throughout the process.
I feel thankful for other parents, too. It’s easy to be critical when you’re not the one doing the thing that you’re criticizing. It’s far harder to actually do that thing you’re criticizing. I feel deeper respect not just for my parents, but all mommies and daddies out there. And that means you if you’re a parent. Thank you for your godly example and all that you do to raise your child in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Thanksgiving is an extremely important response to God. He commands it; and if we as his people don’t do it, our thankless disposition robs our joy. We are even told of those unrighteous persons who will experience God’s wrath because, in part, they did not give thanks to God (Romans 1:21). While I’m tempted to grumble since I’m sleep deprived, and while I feel impatient when baby is crying and I don’t know why, deep down the biggest thing I feel is thanksgiving to God for this incredible blessing.
“For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” (2 Chronicles 5:13)
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