A Brief Reflection on the Pride of Fatherhood
Of course, praying doesnt except doing. As the latter half of the psalm reminds me, "children are an inheritance from the Lord, the wages of the fruit of the womb." So, we are responsibly praying and parenting and praise God for all the help of our parents, pedaitricians, nurses, midwifes and friends. As a father, I've felt perplexing polarity of emotions, rainging from immense pride to leveling humility. Psalm 127 has helped me understand my pride: “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior [= great man], So are the children of one's youth.”
Yesterday I was parading Owen around Starbucks (yeah, can you believe it, three days out of the womb and he is already hitting the coffee shops). As I showed him off to a single man from the seminary, I was distrubed by his indifference. He was more eager to talk about Latin grammar that the inheritance of the Lord! :) As I have reflected on this constant pride, often not shared by non-fathers, I've detected good and bad, but mostly good. It is mainly a positive pride, a grateful gloating, if you will, that gives expression to the unique role and responsibility of father. When Owen is on display, my thought is not, “”look what I produced; isn’t he amazing?” but “look what I have been given; isn’t he amazing?” Even though Owen is and will forever be the Lord’s, it will always be true that he was given to US, to ME as a father and to no one else. So, I feel warrior like, like a great manI possessing a great thing. No wonder the psalmist chose to speak of children as arrows, not only for their clear spiritual potency in advancing the kingdom [of
Glowing gloatingly.
1 Comments:
To Jonathan, Robie, and Owen--
Praise God for this gift of life, in your son! Heidi and I are so glad for you, for your family. Oh that God may continue to build your house! I cannot wait to see Owen...in person. We chose a wicked cute shirt for him to proudly represent us Mainers. We love you three. May all who drink coffee in Starbucks put their cup down, their books away, and praise YHWH.
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