Discerning Whitewater

My kids are young, both being in elementary school. Being a single dad (I note here that I am single dad, but these challenges are not isolated to single dads 🙂 ), my focus at this stage of their lives has been teaching them the very basics of life (cooking, chores, schoolwork, extracurricular, being respectful, basic spirituality – to name a few).

My beautiful daughter has unconditional love for those around her. This clearly is a spiritual gift from God. My son has an ability to discern. He also has such an ability to love.

The questions have gotten so very much tougher over the last six months. COVID has been a catalyst, for sure. Asking me why some people are so beholden to masks while others (myself) are cynical. Discussing the evil in the world has been another tough topic. And there have been others….

In my professional life, I am an engineer. There are areas of engineering that I have expertise. One way leadership is evaluated and gauged is …. how well can I teach ASME Y14.5? How well can I move along a project, developing people that do the work….? And set the example as I go…

I have come to realize that this is so very true for life as well. I believe with all of my heart and all of my mind and all of my spirit that Jesus is the answer to everything. How to live, how to love…

Well, much like my professional job, my job as a Christian father is so very similar. I know Christ is the answer, but can I teach it? Can I receive God’s grace in such a way that I set the example?

I cannot do this by my own power. I must pray, every day (multiple times – in constant prayer). I need the power of the Holy Spirit in my life to be this… And continue to grow in my own wisdom and faith…..

I did start watching Season Two Episode One of The Chosen:

(As I told a friend this morning) I really enjoy the conversation that comes from the kids. I enjoyed explaining to the kids why John was rattling his brain…. how he was formulating John Chapter One (John 1:1-14):

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome^[a] it.

⁶ There was a man sent from God whose name was John. ⁷ He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. ⁸ He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

⁹ The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. ¹¹ He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ¹² Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— ¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

¹⁴ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Kids and I also discussed why John called Mary “mother” and she called him “son”. (If you do not know why this took place, ask me and I will gladly tell you 🙂 )

So good…. so very, very good.

Peace,

-mike