I don’t feel or think
I’m old yet I’m getting there. Today I officially have a 9 year old girl. She
is going to be a fourth grader this year and honestly it feels like it just
flies by. It wasn’t long ago Hailee told me she was pregnant. I was excited and
freaking out at the same time. I remember as I had Monday’s off from school/work
and sat there with my one month old daughter as Hailee was off to work and
thinking, “now what?” I remember counting down the hours till Hailee gets home
because I was so scared I was going to mess things up.
There are countless
memories of this girl. Her first steps, first food she ate, running down the
stairs showing me she wears Michigan State for me. This past year I got to
baptized this little girl and see her accept Jesus in her heart. She surprises
me in so many amazing ways. This little girl would always find a way into my
office to draw me a picture during every after church meal we have. I love this
girl. I thank God for putting this girl in my hands, at one point she will be
out of my house and I have to trust that I taught her well and that she will
make the right decisions in her life. Have I done a good job teaching her?
Paul shares about
this in 1 Corinthians 11 1-2...
“Follow my example,
as I follow the example of Christ. I praise you for remembering me in
everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you.”
With my life my goal
is to follow Jesus and through that following it’s impacted me as a person. I
have learned that I cannot control everything and Jesus keeps me humble in ways
I never thought. Paul was telling this to the church, follow me as I follow
Christ. He then commends them. They did a great job of following Christ and the
example Paul has set for them. Now later on Paul gets into some interesting
teachings that I will go through over the next couple of days. Today though, I
am focusing on these two verses.
Am I setting a good
example for Nevaeh like Paul did for Christ? I am imperfect in so many
different ways. Sometimes my temper gets the best of me. There I times I can do
things out of selfish desires and my own desires rather then others. There are
times I do set a good example too. Nevaeh is special in so many different ways.
She is so quick to help and has an amazing gift as someone who wants to serve
other people. Through all the challenges I hope Hailee and I are raising our
only girl up right. We want her to follow us as we follow Christ.
I am continuing to
improve and be a better father. There is no way at the age of 31 I have this
down pat. Yet I need to enjoy these moments so much. A couple of years ago I
took a trip with a couple of amazing Elders from my church in Mickey and Pat.
As we were driving up and talking they were sharing and teaching me about
parenting. One of the things they told me which I never have forgotten. Stop
doing what you are doing and spent more time with your kids. They are only
young once and you can’t take it back. These two men gave me wisdom that has
been so beneficial to me. It makes me think of a line from a group Incubus,
“Don’t ever let life pass you by.” Pat and Mickey help me remember to keep my
priorities straight and I love them for that.
I am going enjoy my
little girls 9-year-old birthday when I get off work. I thank God for giving me
this girl and for me trying to imitate me as I imitate Christ. When you look at
your own life, are you setting a good example for the people around you? Are
you influencing them in a positive way? I thank Jesus for this little girl. I
thank God for putting people in my life like Pat and Mickey to remind me she is
only young once. This is a life worth cherishing. Thank you Jesus.
Have a great day.
