With little Hazel nappin’ away, I figured I’d sneak in a quick entry here. One of the things I was looking forward to in becoming a Daddy was gaining a new perspective of what it means to be a Christian. Really up until now, my perspective as a Christian came from that of a Son ^ Father relationship — understanding that I am loved, I am saved, that I am cared for, that I have a solid rock and foundation to stand on, etc. I get to follow in Jesus’s ways and just be a vessel for what the Father wants to do in me, through me, and for me. And don’t get me wrong, there is a LOT of depth to just that perspective to dig through and see the beauty behind. 

However, I also know having empathy unlocks a whole another dimension in the perspectives we have as well. That applies in every facet of life from work (individual contributor transitioning to a manager), relationships (marriage and offering advice to those just starting to date) hardships (going through a loss of life and being able to support others going through it) and so much more. As a new Daddy as of 6 Days (ZzzZzz), it’s been incredible to get the tiniest taste of the love that my heavenly Father has for me. It’s another dimension seeing it from the Father v Daughter perspective and experiencing all the emotions that come with it — the joy, the peace, the admiration, and also the fear. 

But what a feeling it is to have to be able to now read verses like:

• Psalm 91:14, “I will protect him because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him”,

• Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” 

•  Zephaniah 3:17 “The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing…”

and now understand it from a deeper and different perspective. I can re-orient these verses so that it’s Hazel declaring those things to me and be like YES of course! I will do all those things and more not because I have to but because I get to! You are my Daughter and it’s in that very identity that unleashes all these things that I want to bless, lead and spoil you in my love with. 

I’m looking forward to understanding my Father’s love as my love for Hazel evolves as life goes on. Life will come with its own high’s and low’s but Hazel and I’s identity as being a Son / Daughter never changes, we have an inheritance as Kings / Queens that can never be taken away and we have a future that is secured and rooted in a Father who is always good and steadfast in love. 

Love you little one. Love you God.