You're Going to Be A Great Dad...

Maybe it's just me, but when people say that to me, I have this fleeting sense of panic. How does this person know I'm going to be a great dad? Where did they get their crystal ball from? Or are they from the future sent back in time to ensure I don't screw up in some capacity? Oh the thoughts that run through my mind...

But on a more serious note, I do feel my pulse rate go up when someone tells me that I'm going to be a great dad. I mean, I really, really hope so. I've waited so long for this, the last thing I want to do is screw it up. It scares me to no end to realize that soon I will be responsible for another life. It will be my responsibility to make sure that my child will grow up into a productive member of society, but not only that, a productive member of the family of God. It will be my responsibility to make sure he learns the basics - how to tie his shoes, how to count, how to say his ABC's, how to cheer for the Steelers and boo the Ravens and Browns (you know, the basics). But it will also be my responsibility to see that he learns wrong from right, that he learns respect and accountability. And, ultimately, it will be my responsibility to model for him what it means to be a man of God, like my dad has been modeling for me for 36 years now.

So, am I going to be a great dad? I have no idea. But I do know two things. First, my heavenly Father has never forgotten me thus far, and no matter where this journey takes me, I can rest in the assurance that He is going to be there with me to guide me and to help me along the way. And second, I am certain of the first statement because He gave me an earthly father that has been the best role model I could have ever had, and if I'm half as good at it as my dad has been, I'll consider it a success.