Some reflections as I return to blogging...

One of the perks of our moving closer to our hometown is that we have been able to catch up on some time with family. We were away for five years and we are taking advantage of only being an hour away from our loved ones. This past Saturday we attended the wedding of a friend and I had the privilege of being with my Dad on his birthday.

Saturday's Wedding
Let me first say that attending a wedding is not on the top of my "Things I hope to accomplish this weekend" list. My reasons are admittedly selfish. I do however always enjoy the wedding when I go. As I was sitting in the church this past Saturday observing the ceremony, I was also making some observations of my own benefits from attending weddings.

Most importantly, I am reminded of Christ and the Church. I see the father giving the bride away, I hear the pastor read Scripture that tells me Christ gave Himself for me and I cannot help but see the Gospel visually before my eyes through this special ceremony.

I am also reminded of the importance of the home and family. Two are coming together to begin a lifetime with one another and I am reminded of the stewardship I have as the head of my home. I think about our little family, and how desperately I want to point us to Christ and Him crucified.

The songs create a warm fuzzy emotion in me as I think about my own bride. Apparently this is happening in her as well as she holds on to my arm or "scoots" a little closer to me in the pew. These times help to rekindle the flame in our relationship in the midst of the mundane.

Finally, as the bride and groom exchange vows, I am reminded of the covenant that I made with my Christen. I am forced to think about what it is I promised to her and that I made this pledge to her until we are parted by death. This serves me in evaluating where I am lacking in the keeping of my vows and encourages me to ask the Lord for His help in fulfilling them.

Dad's Birthday
Saturday was also my Dad's birthday. It was a joy for me to think of this gift from God to me in my father. As I was reflecting on my childhood and the fact that I am seeing my own sons in stages that I can remember as a child, I was reminded of the importance of a father's influence upon a young boy.

I was taught the importance of work. My dad worked hard to provide for us and through this I was able to see the character of God my provider and the responsibility I would one day have as husband and father.

I was reminded of my father's love for me. He never failed to tell me of his love and never failed to show it. He has given so much without expecting return and has truly been used of the Lord as an instrument of grace.

I saw the grace of God in my father's life. I saw a change that taught me regeneration is real. I have been reminded to teach my children that their father is a great sinner but that Christ is a greater Savior.

As I thought about my father's strength, I remembered that his presence has always made me feel safe. It is helpful to see how my children view me, but this has also helped me to see my limitations. Many times I feel like I am still just that little boy who needs to crawl up in his father's lap for love and assurance.

One final thing I was reminded of was just the importance of his "being there." There are many sons who cannot say that their father was there, and I am saddened by the thought. God has been gracious to me. My father's parenting was far from perfect, but one thing I can say by the grace of God is that he was always there. He never left me, he never forsook me, and how much easier it is for me to trust in this promise from my Heavenly Father because I have seen this lived out in a fallen human father.

As I finish this post, Camdyn has just wandered into my study, and he has made his way into my lap. Now I get to go be a father and continue this great chain.

And even now as I was editing this post Cayde has awakened from his sleep and has repeated that of his older brother. I tell them all the time, "I love being your Daddy!"