Fierce Parenting

Counter point: *Having kids* is the supreme life hack. There's no price I wouldn't pay or any luxury I wouldn't forego for them. Gladly. In return, I receive joy and purpose that cannot be purchased no matter the price.

Last night at the dinner table I took stock; clearly, joy was lacking. The toddler was whining, the 6-year old was cranky, the older 2 were worn out, and all of it was visible on my sweet wife's face. It occurred to me that these forlorn faces were a reflection of me. I was setting the tone. So, instead of clearing the table, I busted out the ukulele and began to sing. Within literal seconds, the kids were laughing, smiling, and running around (I sang one of the sillier songs in my repertoire). That was the moment the entire vibe shifted and the evening took on a different tone. The little ones played, the older ones sang and did the dishes, and we ended the night with smiles. Fathers, not only can you lead, you should. Leading your family *through* and *into* joy is one of the most powerful things you can do.

The most spontaneous "I love you dad" you'll see all day. Fathers are meant to challenge, encourage, and cheer on their sons. A boy feels most loved when his father sets the stage, raises the standard, instructs, lets him struggle, then cheers when he succeeds. Just the best!

“The most extraordinary thing in the world is an ordinary man and an ordinary woman and their ordinary children.” ― G.K. Chesterton

Brace yourself. Your life is about to get 100x better. Kids are indisputably one of life’s greatest joys! Fav part: seeing the world for the first time again through their eyes.

In 50 years, one’s progeny will be their primary source of care and social security in a collapsing population. Have more babies, not less. Then raise them to do the same. “Be fruitful and multiply” wasn’t an arbitrary command, it’s God’s path toward human flourishing.

If there's any political hill to die on, it's fighting to see abortion abolished. I hope today marks a turning of the tide, but until pro-abortionists have transformed hearts, I'm not confident change will last. I pray change lasts, but it will take an act of God. Pray!

Quick straw poll for a project... answers appreciated! True or false? "Our family has a mission statement and a list of core values *written down* that we refer to at least once per year"

If you must define me by a group identity, let it not be my race, gender, sexuality, class, or country. Identify me with the family of Christ—those brothers and sisters beside whom I stand redeemed in God’s grace, and those with whom I’ll stand again, praising God in glory.

The work that happens in the home is the best work there is.

The most liberating truth about gospel-centered parenting is that you don't have to be the hero of your child's story. Instead, you get to be the guide who shows them who the true Hero is.

Our kids learn to love and cherish what we love and cherish. They learn to value what we value. The awe that rules our children's hearts depends much on what awe rules in our own hearts. Thus, our primary fight as parents is to be enamored daily with the miracle of the gospel.

Proclaiming the gospel faithfully continues to be our best strategy. The mediums and methods will change but our message will not.