Every Monday, Brielle and I mark off another week that is leading us to the arrival of our new baby. At the time of writing this, the baby’s hand is the size of a postage stamp. And with each passing week, I am more aware of the reality of my own brokenness and the potential of allowing that to hurt my child sinks deeper into my soul.
Typically when I hear people talk about what they are nervous about surrounding the topic of children it is practical answers like; sleep schedules, budgets, vacations, making it work with pets or maternity leave. How to give their kids the best opportunities in sports or academics. Sadly, there is often a major component of our lives that we neglect in the process of raising children that needs our attention. Pete Scazzero said it best: “Jesus is in your heart, but grandpa is in your bones”.
The prospect of raising up a new generation should cause pause in our lives, to look at our history, the familial wounds either placed on us unwillingly or picked up subconsciously. The way we deal with our anger and stress, how we celebrate victory or grieve losses, the way we speak to others, the things we prioritize, where we spend our energy and finances or invest our time. And probably of greatest importance, the way we interact with God. This is why the work of transformation is so important. The renewal of our whole person, body, mind, and spirit. This intentional working against the scripts that have been handed over to us. Our formation into a person who looks like Jesus at the end of our lives is not easy, but it is the most important work we will ever put our hands to.
I have not been so motivated in my faith formation as this moment now. Sure, the zeal of new faith sparks hope and joy. Then there are challenges – family issues, marital conflict, health – which build our dependence on God. But right here, where God has trusted Brielle and I to steward this little life, to raise them up and partner with the Spirit in their formation, I feel the deep weight of responsibility to model a deep abiding relationship with Jesus. Because the things I say and do, or the things I don’t say or do, are all going to culminate into who this little one becomes.
So this Father’s Day, I want to encourage all of us, men and women alike, but especially fathers, to take the role of raising children and modelling faith formation seriously. As fathers, it is our mandate, entrusted to us by the Father to lead our families as Christ leads the His Church.
