I Remember...

Our son, Caden, was born one week ago. Though our oldest, a girl, was born over two years ago, Caden's arrival brought with it many of the same emotions that Caylah's did. Here are some of the things that I remembered...

I remembered that my eyes were just as stupor-filled.

I remembered that I felt just as freaked out.

I remembered that I felt just as inadequate.

I remembered that I seemed just as clumsy picking up my newborn.

I remembered that I was just as leery about putting a car seat in.

I remembered that I felt just as tired.

I remembered that I felt just as unsure about my fatherhood skills.


However, before I ran from the hospital screaming, I remembered some other things...

I remembered that I had learned a few things along the way.

I remembered that Caylah did most of the same stuff and she's actually turning out OK.

I remembered that babies are, in fact, quite durable.

I remembered that these are all phases, and will pass.

I remembered that Caden is the Lord's, too.


Needless to say, I still won't be an unshakable wall of confidence, but I can say that I'm entering this stage of fatherhood with a little less perspiration than I did when Caylah was born.

Thankful for the memories...

Any of these in particular resonate with you? What other things have been helpful for you to remember when fatherhood seems a little overwhelming?

Let's Get Started

It's June 28, 2012, and this is my first blog post. The concept of this blog, however, has been on my heart for a while. I became a daddy a little over two years ago (and then again last Friday!), and the Lord has fine-tuned my heart since then to encourage fathers in a role that can easily be overwhelming and intimidating.

You don't have to dig very deep to see the impact that fatherlessness is having on our society. Personally, I've discipled dozens of guys who have been deeply affected by a father who has been absent physically, emotionally, or both. The Mentoring Project is just one of many organizations that is tackling this issue head-on, focusing on mentoring young men who are victims of fatherlessness. And there are obviously a number of outlets online - other blogs, websites - that can offer resources to help me be a better dad.

What is lacking, however, is a place for dads to discuss what we deal with a on a day-to-day basis, especially for those of us who have young sons and/or daughters. There's lots of places for moms to develop virtual community, but guys do not normally have the same bent, so the places for us to do so are few and far between.

It doesn't mean we shouldn't, however.

So I've started this blog as a place to develop community. A place to encourage you, but also a place for me to receive encouragement. As men, we often feel as if we should go it alone, but feeling as if we are alone is the best way to get discouraged as dads. What we are called to as fathers is not easy, but vitally important to the health of your family, not to mention our society. So I invite input, opinions, experiences. I invite you to not go it alone.

I invite you to dare to be daddy.