Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Father (as in paternal parent, not God) (04/10/08)
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TITLE: Fatherhood Dreams | Previous Challenge Entry
By Joshua Janoski
04/15/08 -
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He lays there, snuggly nestled under his sheets, listening intently to every word I speak. His eyelids slowly begin to make their descent. He fights entering dreamland, but his body forces a transport there. I finish reading the sentence I am on, and then laying the book down on his night table, I kiss his forehead before quietly exiting the room.
I tiptoe into my bedroom, past my lovely queen who lays sleeping in our bed, exhausted from tending to the castle all day. Peering down into a crib, my eyes focus their gaze upon the darling princess that lays there. Tiny fingers are clenched tightly to a blanket, as she breathes ever so softly. Gently, I caress the smooth skin of her little arm with my finger, and whisper “I love you.” My body slips into bed, and my mind into euphoric dreams, but it isn’t long before the crashing sound of reality rudely interrupts my thoughts and ejects me back into the real world.
My bedroom becomes a desk, my castle a cubicle. There is no queen to go home to and no little princess to hold. Bedtimes stories entail me reading a novel to myself inside my small apartment. My present condition is a far cry away from my visions of the future, but I refuse to quit dreaming. I want to be a father someday.
As a single male, I often wonder if my desire is somewhat mad. Shouldn’t the yearning for children be reserved for little girls with plastic dollies and newlyweds just settling down? Yet, for some reason, I cannot discard this desire. I look at my two-year old niece, who I absolutely adore. She reminds me of all the wonderful little things children bring to this world, and at the same time, she also reminds me that being a parent of a child requires lots of patience and dedication. I can go home to peace and quiet when my niece becomes unruly, but I cannot run away if I have my own children. This makes me wonder what kind of father I would be. Would I be ready for the challenge? What qualities could I bring to the table that would make me a champion to my kids?
I think of the qualities that I appreciate in my own dad. While far from perfect, my father has traits within himself that I would like to adopt. He is compassionate, sensitive, caring, and raised me to serve the Lord. He treats my mom well, and would never abuse or hurt a woman in any way.
I look at Jesus Christ, his life, and his example. He welcomes all children, young and old, into his open arms and provides them security and comfort. He never turns a child away, but instead, embraces the unique wonder and faith than can be found within each one.
If I could take even a fraction of the qualities found in both my earthly and heavenly fathers and use them to raise my own children, then maybe, I would be able to be the kind of dad that I want to be. Does that mean I won’t have problems? There will come a day when I am no longer “cool” to my children. I will be replaced with friends, dating, and school. The warm hugs and kisses will vanish, as puberty sets in, and their bodies and minds begin to change and grow. It is at that time, I would hope I had given them enough love and teaching, so that they would not stray too far from their family, and most importantly, from God.
I am thankful for what God is doing in my life as a single man, but every once in a while I get dreams of tricycles, baby dolls, and Lego blocks. I just hope when the time arrives, I will be prepared to be the biological dad that my heavenly dad would want me to be.
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I'd suggest that you not "give away" your little twist by your title. And FYI, "The Magician's Nephew" isn't the first of the Chronicles of Narnia.
Excellent writing all around--I really enjoyed reading this.
Great story. To have a dream and rely on God to fulfill that dream is a great goal.
Loved this story. Well done.
When I mention The Magician's Nephew as being the first book in The Chronicles of Narnia series, I am referring to the chronological order that the books are read in and not the order in which the books were first written and published.
I just wanted to clarify that. I probably should have left out that bit of information in order to avoid this confusion.
Laury
One of my Life Group members prays daily for her future husband, that he will know the Lord, and that God will make her the wife that He purposes and that her future husband cherishes.
She does not know who the Lord is preparing to be her husband yet, but she is faithful to pray for him everyday.
Pray with the confidence of knowing that God will answer, far beyond your wildest hopes.
This is a beautiful piece that really touched me. Great work.
Also, I don't think a father need ever be replaced, or stop being cool to his kids. Build a good relationship with them, and it will pass the test of time.