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Archive for October, 2010

Things that make a father proud

11 Oct

So yesterday was another proud moment for me as a father as Jude was upgraded from his baby car seat to a bigger one.

Jude's New Car Seat 1

Jude's New Car Seat 1

As with all things fatherhood related I always reflect on how my experiences as a father compare with my understanding of God as my Father. While Jude was being buckled into his new seat I was saying things like “Wow my boy. You’re now sitting in a big boys seat. You’re such a big strong boy.” At the same time I was also soaking in every little expression on his face as he had his first experience of the new chair and facing forward for the first time.

Even though Jude had essentially done nothing, I was filled with pride, excitement and joy as I shared the moment with him. It got me thinking on what God must experience whenever I grasp a new truth or experience His provision (whether I’m aware of it or not).

There are a number of instances in the psalms where it says that God delights or takes pleasure in us. I wonder what delight God takes in me while I take delight in my son? I wonder what delight he took in my first experience of shooting a bow and arrow on Saturday? Or when I look at my wife and think about how much I love her? Or as I imagine how awesome my sandwhich for lunch will be. What about as I’m amazed by the process of the broccoli growing in my veggie garden or as I dream about the future.

As I watch Jude explore the world, attempt to climb on things, chase the cats, try say ‘Jasper’ and make all sorts of funny noises; I’m filled with delight. Even as Jude sits in the bath and splashes non stop for 20 minutes I am delighted.

How wonderful it is to be a father. How wonderful it is to know THE FATHER.

Jude's New Car Seat 2

Jude's New Car Seat 2

Psalm 22:8
“He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.”

Psalm 35:27
May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, “The LORD be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant.”

Psalm 36:8
They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights.

Psalm 37:23
If the LORD delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm;

Psalm 147:11
the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Proverbs 3:12
because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

2 Samuel 22:20
He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.

Psalm 16:3
As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.

Psalm 149:4
For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.

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Posted in Fatherhood, Parenting

 

About… courtesy of sleeplessness

10 Oct

Couldn’t sleep. So I released version 1 of my about page. Enjoy :)

Maybe I should add a photo of myself? Done

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Two things I learnt today

09 Oct

So I haven’t actually sat down and done that about page yet. Maybe I will start it after this post :)

In the mean time for your amusement here are 2 things I learnt today.

1. My dog doesn’t like peas

Jasper, my Labrador, to my surprise actually does have a discerning palate. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that Jasper won’t eat peas. This is the same dog that eats tea bags, tomatoes, cat poo and trees. Even more amazing was how I discovered this. This morning I was clearing out left over food that was probably near expiring when I came across a pot with some food in it. I put the pot outside and Jasper’s tongue somehow navigated around all the food and lapped up everything except the peas.

Jasper dodges the peas

Jasper dodges the peas

2. Shooting a bow and arrow

This afternoon I got to fulfill a childhood dream of shooting a bow and arrow. I discovered recently that my pastor is the chairman of TASA (Traditional Archers of South Africa) and that he and his son spend some time every afternoon (when there aren’t summer afternoon thunderstorms) shooting arrows. After sheepishly asking him if I could shoot with them some time we organised a braai at their house. So this afternoon I learnt some technique and got to shoot with an actual traditional bow and arrow at targets. It was a lot of fun. Doing it at night in my dreams all these years has been fun, but actually doing it in reality is even better.

I loved it. All of it. Loading (not sure if that is the correct technical term) the arrow, pulling back the string, feeling the resistance, the pull of the muscles in my arms and back, focusing on the kill zone of the target, factoring in distance from the target to account for gravity, focusing on the rhythm of my breathing and the positioning of my arms etc so that I could repeat the same behavior and then finally releasing the string and watching the arrow hit its target was exhilarating.

By the end of the afternoon I walked away with one nasty welt on my left forearm from the string and able to fairly accurately hit a target repeatedly. I’ve also left with one of their extra bows, 3 arrows and an invitation to join them at their next competition. I can’t wait to construct myself a target and spend a good few solid hours building muscle memory and improving basic technique. I’m obviously not quite ready to insert 3 arrows at the same time to take out some orcs :)

Feeling too tired now to do that about page. Goodnight. *yawn*

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Posted in Random thoughts