Tag: Fatherhood

2018: The Year in Review

It’s the morning of New Year’s Eve (2018). Pretty soon I’ll need to sit my MacBook down and change a diaper. I’d like to take a few minutes to reflect on this past year, even if it’s just for a few minutes.

Back to School

2018 began with a trip to Gateway Seminary (formerly Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary). Going back to school felt strange–it had been nearly twenty years since I completed my Master of Divinity at NOBTS. Much has changed since then, but I caught on pretty quickly (note: having your own charging ports at your desk is pretty nice).

By God’s grace I’ve made good progress towards the completion of my Doctor of Ministry degree (more quickly than I expected). It’s been a lot of work, but I believe it’s helping me to become a better pastor.

Fatherhood

Needless to say, the most significant event of the year came in March of 2018–Mare Cris and I became parents of a beautiful, healthy baby boy. I can hardly express how grateful I am to be a father.

It’s hard to believe Clark is now nine months old. As I’ve mentioned before, he’s rapidly transforming into a toddler.

Speaking of Clark, the completion of this post was interrupted when I heard him wake up. He has this adorable habit of smiling, flopping on his belly, and quickly crawling the length of the crib when one of us walks into his room. It’s as though his little body cannot adequately express his enthusiasm for seeing his mom or dad and starting another day.

Time has become an increasingly precious commodity in more ways than one. It’s precious because it seems we have so little of it to ourselves these days. But it’s also precious because it is going by so quickly. I know one day I will miss having a boy that’s small enough to sleep in my arms. I pray I will cherish every moment.


2018 has this in common with every year to date: God has been much better to me than I’ll ever deserve.

Life Between Diaper Changes

It’s been a few months since I’ve updated my blog. This post may not be quite as deeply reflective as the previous post on fatherhood, but I did want to take a few minutes this morning and write a few thoughts/updates.

Clark turned six months old a few days ago. He is smiling and able to sit up on his own (as you can see in this picture, taken after an invigorating nap). One tooth has sprouted, and another is beginning to emerge.

The past six months have been a paradox in terms of time. The sleepless nights of those first few weeks seemed to slow down time.

Yet he’s grown up so quickly. Clark looks more like a toddler and less like a helpless infant with each passing day. I still wonder if I take enough time to contemplate my son’s developmental milestones–each of them a blessing from God.

My wife and I operate on an invisible timer of sorts–taking care of chores or whatever else we can while he’s asleep. We know at least one of us will be occupied once he wakes up.

Somehow, by the grace of God, I’ve been able to finish about half of the hours required to complete a Doctor of Ministry at Gateway. God willing, I’ll have 75% of it done by Clark’s first birthday. It is a lot of work, but it has been a worthwhile investment that has exceeded my expectations.

It’s been almost two years since I began pastoring the church where we currently serve. I pray that my congregation receives at least a fraction of the blessing I get from studying God’s word and preparing sermons every week.

Mare Cris and I have been married for over six and a half years. I love her more now than the day I married her.

I am unworthy, but deeply loved.

Life is about grace. I’ll never fully understand it, but I stand with open arms and an open heart–a grateful recipient.