Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from him.
Children born to a young man
are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.
How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!
He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.
– Psalm 127:3-5
Last Saturday night, I think it was, I was sitting in my living room, which is usually the noisiest place in our too-small home, and I was struck with the sudden realization that I really, really like my kids. They’re just really cool. That’s not to say that each of us doesn’t have our moments that push the limits; but overall, we like being together.
This weekend we’re taking a short vacation, except for my oldest who couldn’t get off work. It seems really strange to be going anywhere without him, and I know that we’re really going to miss his presence. But, he’s 19, and we know that this is just the start of his independence. What’s really cool about this is that we’d prefer to have him with us, and I think he’d rather be with us, too.
I may not be rich, but I am blessed.
A supreme delight in being a parent is recognizing that my kids are my extension into the world and future. Unfortunately, that’s also my greatest horror.
Being a parent can be the greatest thing in the world, can’t it? Even when things aren’t going as planned, and you are getting frustrated that they may not turn out the way you had hoped, you realize when they do something really cool and surprising that they are a part of you.
I like being a dad, too.