Being a Dad: The First Six Months

Yesterday marked my sixth month of being a dad. Have I really been at this thing for that long? It seems like an apt time to be hitting the half-year milestone. Amelie is now a babling, laughing, teething (two of them) baby who sits up on her own (though not without frequent head injury as she sees something that takes her aback and then...takes her aback). She has gone from a little wide eyed football in the crook of my arm to a very vocal ("da-da-da-da-da") little creature with frog-like bouncing abilities. Being someone who sees her every single day, it is difficult to notice how much she has grown unless I look at pictures. For example:

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See where I am coming from there? For the last six months there has been something (often times several things) new -whether a new personality trait or activity.

As God has developed Amelie as a human, he has developed me as a father. I have learned a great deal about sacrifice, trust, unconditional love, shortsightedness, love, relationship, time management, frustration, and patience. I know that I have much much more to learn. I have grown so much and, I have not even begun to grow -just like my daughter. For those out there who have not had children, you really do not know what it is like until you have one. I know that sounds frustrating, because I was frustrated by it in the past, but it is true nevertheless. God opens you up to see how helpless and unable to understand the universe you truly are the instant you hold that crying baby. And he opens you up further to see the love that he has for us as your heart breaks because of her cry. And you understand a little better his joy over us as the sound of your infant's laughter strikes your ear for the first time.

I often look at her and become fearful due to the sheer amount of information that Amelie must learn under the stewardship of Charlee and me. I think about ABCs and multiplication tables, American history and Christian worldview, Audrey Hepburn and Bob Dylan. How will I teach her everything I want her to know? How will I find the time and energy for it to pass on the knowledge that is dear to my heart? And most importantly will I model a life of repentance that drives her to worship at the feet of King Jesus? I have to stop and realize that in many ways I am as helpless a father to Amelie as I am as a son before God. He is ultimately in control of time and of the hearts of men. These things I prayerfully leave in his hands as he works in me and through me to disciple Amelie in this thing we call life. It's been a wild ride thus far, and if the Lord wills, I will have many more half years to raise, love, and instruct my daughter.

Oh, and here's one more for laughs...