Rest for the Weary

"A mother's work is never done." The weight behind these words can only ring true to parents... and for some it is like sitting in the bell tower of a cathedral! As a man, a husband, a father, and the sole earner in our home I can tend to think my jobs and responsibilities are the most pressing.

After a "disagreement" with my wife over the most pressing jobs and responsibilities yesterday I came across this picture on FaceBook. I have to tell you that it was right on time. With all my frustration over my own selfish thinking and my need for my wife to understand my reasoning, this brought some much need laughter.

If I were truly honest with myself, that would be "Daddy" in the picture if he were home with the kids all day everyday. In our "disagreement" yesterday my wife said something that really hit home for me. "George, I don't get a sick day!" Imagine if you will, mommy just giving up even for just an hour. Just look, you have one kid in the fridge, one kid in the cabinets, one kid in the microwave and two plotting something on the floor! That frazzled look on mom we know too well. So, how do we get through it?

Jesus Take The Wheel!

This photo has been popping up all over the Internet. It is a great picture of our relationship to the Lord and the relationship we need to have with our children. The pure look of shock and fear upon this young child's face resembles my our first year as parents.
Now it has been quite some time since my last post on this site. We changed the name but the theme is still the same. So let us catch you up on what has changed on the road of life that has led us to yell "Jesus, Take the Wheel!"

A Child's Identitiy

Children's books amaze me sometimes. I have found great messages that parallel the Gospel in some of the most simplest stories. "If I Were A Jungle Animal" is one of those stories.
It's about a boy named Morton. Morton plays baseball, but is stuck way out in the outfield. Because the ball never comes to him he begins to day dream about being a jungle animal. With each animal he thinks about being there comes a problem. He goes through a list of wild and crazy animals and never sees a great fit. Then, "Wake Up Morton! Get The Ball!" Pop Fly into the outfield and Morton's moment has finally come. Does he catch it? I guess you will have to read to find out.

We got this book out of a cereal box! As I read it God began to place me in the story. I feel like I'm in the outfield sometimes, waiting on a pop fly that will never come. I have dreamed about being somebody or something else. A cat is one of the animals I have always thought had a nice life. We get so caught up in the day dream that we are missing the game.

God has designed us with a place and a purpose. Somebody has to play outfield. We can bicker and complain, but what happens when our moment comes? Even if it is only one moment... that moment can change the coarse of the game. Are we OK with the position God has placed us in or will we be caught up wishing we were something more exciting?

This is the kind of story I want my kids to read. This is a story that will let them know that there is a purpose for their lives. With all the stuff out there to distract our children from the purpose in life, found in a cereal box is the message of the Gospel. It's our job as parents to put the two together. With all the day dreaming that kids do, I want my children to be ready for their moment or moments. I want them to know that God created them to play a part in this game and no matter how big or small it may seem.

A huge thank you to Tom and Amanda Ellery for this inspiring book. It is a must have for any parents.

We're Gonna Make It Son. Rob Bell: Rain

I love this video. I watched it before I was a father and it was good. I watched it again the other day and it was like I had never seen it before. Rob says that the experience of the storm for him was an event he would cherish and never forget with Trace. I pray God gives me that perspective on my experience as a father with George. I could see myself walking through the woods and getting rained on think about how stupid I might be for taking the walk in the first place. I see myself think how bad of a father I am because my son might get sick. But to cherish a moment like this as a moment where my son and I are so close, a moment where I would do anything to get him to safety, a moment where I can whisper in his ear "It's gonna be alright, I love you, we're going to make it son"... That gives me the perspective of God's unfailing love for us.

Excerpt From Chapter 8 "The Parents Faith"

I have begun reading this book by Andrew Murray. When I reached chapter 8 he began dealing with the struggle I have been having recently concerning the raising of my children. With all the counsel I have sought about putting my children in daycare it seems that I am left with one of two choices... "commitment or compromise".

In seeking counsel we have received many different replies, but none as scary as the one shared by a few well meaning Christians; "Millions of parents in the nation place their children in childcare while the they work, there is no reason you can't". I would like to allow Mr. Andrew Murray, a well respected theologian, author and disciple of Christ to enlighten us to the perils of such a statement.

"If only the eyes of God's people were opened to the danger which threatens His Church! It is not infidelity or superstition, it is the spirit of worldliness in the homes of our Christian people! The children are sacrificed to worldly ambitions and social pressures. The greatest dangers to Christ's Church are friendship with the world and the seeking of riches. If every Christian home were a training school for His service, more spiritual growth would take place than could be accomplished through preaching....."

"By faith Moses was hid by his parents- these simple words tell us our duty, and what our faith must do. Christian parents... hide your child! Hide him in the Safest Refuge- The Shadow of the Almighty...."

"Hide your children in the quietness of home life away from the excitements of the world. In that hiding place where the enemy cannot intrude, we have one of faith's highest duties. When the time comes that your child must come into contact with the world, you can still entrust him to the One who is the Keeper of Israel. Do not fear the sayings of others who proclaim, that the children cannot be kept separate from the world, they must go with the stream. Instead, let your faith be strong. Believe that yours are the children of a peculiar people, who are separated unto God. Continue to believe that they must be separate for Him...."

"The reward of the faith of Moses' parents will be ours. Moses was not only saved, but became the savior of his people. Your Child, too, will not only be blessed, but will also be made a blessing..."

"Let faith hide the child in the ark of God's love. Let faith train the child for God and His people. Then when the time comes that your child should go into the world, he will be safe in the power of faith and God's protection. A child of faith will not only receive a blessing for itself, but be a blessing to others."

For the parents who buy into the lie of the world system gets an average of 5 hours with their child daily. With all of the worldly "alternatives" to raising our children... I beg you Christian parent, Train your child up in the way they should go and when they are old they shall not depart from it.

Safe in Daddy's Arms

It has been 1 year already. I started out this blog with the best intention of logging all the wonderful truths God would show me through being a new father. I guess one thing I can take from not blogging this long is; Fathers are busy loving their children. I have enjoyed all of the little moments over the last year... even then mumbling under my breath as I had to get up to change a diaper only to find the dam didn't hold if you know what I mean!

Tonight I was feeding George before he goes to bed. It's later in the evening than usual and George is really tired. It isn't long after he starts his bottle that he is out like a light. Snoozing in my arms is my son, the one who bares my image and holds my name. In my arms he doesn't have a worry in the world... just a full belly and sweet dreams. I stare down at him and think to my self how much I love him... how I wouldn't want to be anywhere else that very moment. I realize how content he is because I am his security...his safety. Then I hear it in my heart of hearts...

"George, when was the last time you felt that safe in my arms?"

My heart breaks as I come to the wonderful conclusion that God loves me more than I could ever love my son, and yet my sense of safety and security seems to waiver on my most tired nights. Yes, on those nights I tend to get irritable and irrational, making split decisions and spewing words you would never think a pastor would say. As a father, it's when I am tired (which is all the time) that I find I feel the most vulnerable. Maybe the lesson for tonight is; When I am tired it's time to climb into the Father's lap and let Him give me what I need to find security, safety, and rest.

Amazing Grace in our Darkest Hours

We are trying to get our four month old son to take naps in his crib. He does not like his crib at all. We lay him down and he cries.... and cries... and cries! It is heart wrenching.
Tonight we lay him down in the dark and I hide in my closet just to listen and pray. He is crying full force and my heart is sinking by the second. I know he isn't in pain, so this must be some sort of fear. Dad is right here with him and yet he doesn't realize just how close I am. I know that this is something we as parents have to do and something he has to go through for his good. That doesn't make it feel any better. Tonight the Lord taught me something about Him that I hope I never take for granted again.

Psalm 23 says that when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death we can fear no evil because He is with us. It doesn't always feel like He is with us, but we know that He is and that is why we can have no fear. If my son only knew that Dad was right there with him in this "dark hour".

When I knew my son could bare no more and could not find rest, I picked him up in my arms and he knew I was there. I brought him close to me and began to hum Amazing Grace and my son found rest. Though it was necessary for him to lay and cry, when the Father says "that's enough" than that's enough. In our darkest hours when we are crying out to God as if He isn't there we can "feel" some of the worst turmoil. Yet, the truth is that He is there...with us...waiting for us to exhaust ourselves. When we have reach the point where Father says "enough" we can feel His embrace and listen to the subtle tune of His Amazing Grace and finally find rest for our "Crocodile Tears"! My son rests soundly tonight (for now) and the Father has taught this father just how much He wants me to rest knowing He is with me.