happy 3rd birthday destin

April 20, 2009 at 1:09 am (Family, Men's Stuff)

three years ago today destin came into this world as a bouncing baby boy. tears filled my eyes as i beheld flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone. childbirth has to be one of the greatest miracles that almighty God has ever performed. it ranks right up there with parting the red sea and other great miracles of the bible.

fatherhood is without a doubt the greatest responsibility a man will ever have. any male can make a baby but only a man can take care of a  baby. i am often overwhelmed at the thought of God trusting me with the task of partnering with him to rear our male child into a godly, respectable, responsible man.

here are seven things i don’t ever want my son to forget:

1. God is not an option in our house. i agree with  joshua who said, “as for me and my house we will serve the lord.” i promise to lay a christian foundation for you to build on and use as an example. i will use every teachable  moment as an opportunity to show the ways of Jesus Christ; we will bless our meals before we eat; pray before we fall asleep; meditate on the Word of God; acknowledge Him in all our ways… when you are older you will have a choice but as long as you are dependent on me, God is not an option in our house. 
2.  i will always respect and honor your mother. i am well aware that you would not be here were it not for your mom. for that reason i honor her. i honor her because she carried you for nine months in her womb; nourished you when you couldn’t do it for yourself; cares for you when you are ill; prays for you constantly; teaches you your letters, numbers, and colors; sacrifices time, energy and even sleep. i guess you get the point. there will be times when we will not agree or see eye to eye but there will never be a time that i don’t honor her as your mother. i expect the same from you.
3. destin i want you to know that i love you with an unconditional love. the fact is you will never  be able to imagine how much i love you. the interesting thing is you don’t have to do anything to earn this love. i want you to be a good boy; make good grades; be nice to your friends; honor your parents; realize your God given purpose but none of that has anything to do with my love for you. how can i say it more plainly? I LOVE YOU DESTIN!!!
4. i believe you are destined for greatness. your name, “destin”, suggest that God has a ultimate plan for your life. i believe you can do anything you put your mind to. never accept mediocrity or average as the norm for your life because it is not. always attempt to do your best. you don’t have to be “the” best. but i fully intend for you to “do” your best.
5. choices not chances determine your destiny. remember every choice whether good or bad has a consequence.  i have certainly made my share of both good and bad choices. i hope you will follow my footsteps that lead to success and avoid my missteps that led to potholes. i am convinced of this scripture, “all things work together for the good of them that love God…
6.  i will always have your back. did i say always? time nor distance nor age nor issue will ever distract me from watching out for you. it is my job that i take very seriously. when you are right i got you and when you make mistakes as we all do, i got you. let the record show you can count on your daddy.
7. i will discipline you because i love you. make no mistake about it, i am old school when it come to discipline. there will be times when you will not understand why i am correcting you; punishing you; and yes spanking you. but trust me you will appreciate it later on in life. it was the same for me when i was a child. i am a better man today because of the discipline i received as a child. i owe you that in the name of love.

love ya son,

daddy