New Edition: First Time Dad ©, Part 4

3/1/11

The news that we’re having a baby has sent a multitude of emotions through both 10 and I.  On the heels of a message at church about how God births things in us and we have to pray them out, I meditated on this and my eyes gushed with tears one morning on the way to work; 10 and I were spiritually and physically birthing our seed.

It wasn’t coincidence that in a couple of days we would be finding out the sex of the baby (we had a great turnout which included: both sets of parents, God parents, and other friends and family via speaker phone) and I had been listening to an excerpt of a message by Dr. David Jeremiah on a radio program hosted by Dr. James Dobson.  The tears I mentioned earlier were a result of Dr. Jeremiah touching story of how he raised his daughters.  At this point my thoughts had become like a movie, flashing back and forth between, “Daddy look at me daddy, I’m Hollywood daddy” , my Sunday school group and God’s love for us—from a father to a child—all examples of how He teaches us.  Nothing could stop the downpour from my eyes.  Nothing at that moment mattered more than the impact Jesus made in the lives of all mankind because God the Father wanted us to know His love.  His children.  Loved by Him.  Saved by Him.  Given purpose by Him.  Commissioned by Him.  Made possible only because of a freewill sacrifice. 

Now I am to follow after, mimic, my Heavenly Father to my daughter.  Full time.  And though I keep hearing about how my life will change I choose to focus on the positive.  God isn’t negative and I don’t think we should be either.  Encouragement welcome.  Foolishness and old wives tales, mental waste basket.  My pastor says it like this “I speak crop failure to that.”

So when does my mission of being a dad begin?  Conception.  When does it end?  Never.  How do I know?  She moves when I speak or when 10 says, “move for daddy.”  It’s one of my greatest joys. 

For more than a month I have felt small movements that feel like a pulse, but now our little girl is moving limbs and we can feel what seems like the impact of her feet and hands.  10 has even told me how she really gets to moving around at certain times of the day like clockwork.  We especially pray over her then, and we know we are building our bond with her.  I am grateful that we have prepared and been obedient as to the timing.  “Hey pretty girl.  Mommy and daddy love you and we can’t wait to meet you.”