Today was my very first Father's Day--at least as a Father. Sure, I've never held my child in my arms, but she's still my child just the same. And that means I'm a Daddy. In a few short weeks, she'll come into the world and my life will change forever. I have no idea what it's going to be like to actually live it, but I'm full of anticipation!

One of the most exciting things to me is that I'll finally get to watch Bec be a mother. The journey has been long. She has intensely longed for children. We've been through the throes of infirtility. We've experienced the incredible joy of finding out that Bec was pregnant. We've lived through almost nine months of watching Audrey grow inside Bec's tummy. And in just a few weeks, Audrey will be here. Bec will finally hold her own child in her arms, and I'll be a beamingly proud father.

If there's one thing I'm sure of in life, it's that God crafted Bec for motherhood. Bec is the most thoughtful person I know. She constantly considers my life, my problems, my hopes and dreams, and carefully chooses her words perfectly to encourage and enlighten. She is the hardest worker I know. With great pain and resolve she works to maintain a wonderful home, and when health prevents, she labors over it in her mind, trying to keep from being a "burden" on me. She is an incredible teacher. She opens the eyes of children to God's amazing creation around them and fills them with wonder. She is a wise discipliner of children. Seemingly effortlessly she chooses the appropriate measure for each child's wrong-doing, tailoring the discipline specifically to the child's temperament and need. Truly, God has blessed Bec with wisdom and understanding that many mothers lack. I am ecstatic to see her mother Audrey!

Such a glowing account of my wife's virtues in no way releaves me of my own responsibilities regarding Audrey. That weight has been growing heavy upon me the last few weeks. But it is not a weight like sadness is a weight. It is more like the weight of glory talked about in 2 Corinthians chapter 4. It is the heavy realization that something wonderful awaits me, though I may not know now what form it will take.

I am extremely excited about being a father. True, my experience with children is limited. My understanding of early childhood development is rather thin. My 18-year plan is still a bit fuzzy. But I have had a wonderful earthly role model in my own father. In the life of my daughter I seek to replicate his hard-working, greatly-loving, always-encouraging influence. And my Heavenly Father is truly the perfect example. His unfailing love and sure discipline will be the guide that I follow through my life.

To all you men out there who are already on the journey, I say "Happy Father's Day."

To my own father, I say, "Thank you for teaching me, not only with words, but with your faithful actions. Happy Father's day!"

And to my Heavenly Father, I say, "May I be but a mirror of Your infinte grace, love, truth, protection, honor, and justice. And may your light be reflected from me into the life of our daughter! May my failings only contrast with your perfection, and may Audrey come to know you early as her own Heavenly Father!"

Happy Father's Day!

Giftage
Bec made my first Father's Day memorable with several gifts and two cards. Her cards are always so sweet. They often make me cry. These two were no different.

She got me two types of gifts: one type would make me a proud father, and one would help me get through labor to become a Father. The Proud Father gifts were awesome! She got Audrey three shirts from ThinkGeek.com: An Input/Output T-shirt, a Baby Tux T-shirt, and a Newbie onesie . All are very cute, and will proclaim to the world that she is the daughter of one steeped in geekdom.

The gift that would help me through labor was a new watch! It is a beautiful watch, made by Relic. I've been without a watch for quite a while now, and Bec knew just what I'd like. It's got a blue face and a silver metal band that looks brushed in parts. It's very groovy! Woohoo!