Future Father

“Congratulations, dad!” These are the word that I look forward to hearing sometime mid-November. If you were to ask me a simple question like, “Are you ready to be a father?” or “Have you thought of names for the baby?” I could answer you really quickly with a smile. To the first question, yes I am ready to be a father and to the second, that will have to wait until the baby is born!

One of the more complex questions that I ask myself is “What is my hope for my child?” I would respond to you that I want my child to be as happy, vibrant, joyful and loved as it can be. It may seem to you that I have a beauty pageant perspective about hope for my new baby. It’s really the opposite.

I know that the world around my family is not the one I want to bring children into. I also recognize that I don’t have all the pieces in place to allow my family to enjoy a comfortable and carefree lifestyle. As well, I understand that there are dangers that I can’t protect my family against. All of this doesn’t dampen my enthusiasm about being a dad; in fact I’m encouraged by the challenge!

After some deep and contemplative thinking, I have concluded that children are a gift from the Creator. “How is that? ” you might ask. The simple fact is that the hopes and dreams of the world reside in children. All the wonder, awe, amazement, laughter and joy you and I see displayed in the actions of children are the purest expression of excellence in the universe.

Each child brings with it a piece of heaven when it is born. From the first smile and look of recognition, that child represents the best of heaven brought to earth. I don’t know one adult who can resist the sparkling eyes and wide smile of an infant content with its surroundings. Each family who is given the responsibility to raise a child understands this concept.

I believe as well, that my Creator has equipped me with the capacity to the best father I can to raise that child into a balance adult. Each of us here has the opportunity to make a tremendous impact on children’s lives each day. In fact, the children that you impact don’t even have to be your own!

Remember back to when you were a kid. Think of how the adults around you inspired you or encouraged you to become who you are today. If your childhood experience is not positive, then think about what you would change to turn those years into a better time. Focus that energy, those thoughts toward giving the children in your life something wonderful to look forward to while growing into adults.

Start positively influencing the young ones around you. Kind, encouraging words make such a phenomenal impression on those bright, young hearts. The value of words that extol, uplift and buoy the spirit of a child cannot be underestimated. Remember this the next time you see one of you own children, a niece or nephew or young cousin. If you don’t have children around you, consider volunteering to mentor a child. Choose to be the adult an impressionable youngster needs to feel he or she is cared for. Give your best to a young one and you will receive more than you can ever imagine in return.

When you fulfill a need in that child’s life you make this a better place to live. Always keep in mind that you have the privilege to love the children around you. Remember what Fredrick Douglas said, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”

So when you see me holding a new, born infant sometime in the future, I hope that you will remember my words, heed my encouragement and reflect on what I believe. Children are a gift from the Creator for fathers and mothers to love and cherish. They are the hope of a better world.