Deeper Still

It’s been a while since I have blogged, but I wanted to share a thought quickly with you.  A few months ago, I came to an amazing realization:  I am not who I used to be.  I am now a husband an a father.  I realized this one day when I looked in my rear view mirror.  Shortly after Elle was born, I had both of the kids in my car.  I glanced in my rear view mirror to the back seat and realized I had not one, but two kids.  My, where did the time go?

When we think about life, we often  like to look in the rear view mirror…but for the wrong reasons.  We love to look at our past and say things like, “man, I used to be able to do this…” or “5 years ago I weighed 15 pounds less.” Or, “When I was single, I had a lot more time on my hands.”  While it’s true that everyone has a story, and we should all value everyone’s story, there’s a danger in thinking “my best days are behind me.”

As a more recent husband and father, I can easily fall into that trap too.  As I approach the age of 30 (don’t worry, I have over a year ), I often look in the “rear view mirror” of my life and think things like, “Wow, my hair line sure is receding.”  Or, “I wish I was in shape like I was during football.”   Sometimes, I can flat out feel like I was “better” years ago because of athletic feats or how I looked. These are dangerous thoughts.  If I believe God is good…and that He invites me to play a part in the Story He is writing, then I will look forward to the future with anticipation.  I will realize that I am not the same person I was years ago…and that’s a good thing…I have been recreated and transformed by the Holy Spirit!  Thank God that I am not the same person I was yesterday.  May He continue to develop me into the man He wants me to be.

So yes, as I look into the rearview mirror now, I realize a lot of things:  I’ve got some major blessings from God…and a huge responsibility to raise up children who will choose to live for Jesus.  Sure, I can no longer run the 40 in 4.6 seconds or bench press 320 lbs, but I’ve gotten pretty good at singing “Jesus Loves Me” with my 2 year old son and I’ve gotten pretty quick at changing my 3 month old daughter’s diaper.  God, I thank you for the future!  Can’t wait to see what happens!