I remember that time I broke the news to you some fifteen years ago. You were calm and collected. For such a life-altering news to be handed to you at age 22, you were notably unruffled. I can't say you were the type to go ballistic but you were just so composed that it was unbelievably surprising albeit absolutely comforting. I can only imagine what went through your head as I told you that you were going to be a father. Like a good soldier, you took the news of a battle undaunted. If you were freaking-out inside, you did such a fine job pretending you were unfazed. You'd give Sean Penn a run for his money lol! But the truth is, it was one of your FINEST and most BRILLANT moments as a man.
For some guys, fatherhood posed as a threat rather than a promise--of stifled life plan and abandoned dreams. To some extent, it brings out the coward in them, a buzzer prematurely ending the wild days, men seeing it as throwing away one's life. But you! You weren't like any of those. You were so ready to marry me, give a name to our child and throw cautions to the wind. We were probably too high on each other that we took the song “Love Will Keep us Alive” quite literally. You were unafraid.
In all seventeen years since that fateful day, I don’t know whether I have thanked you for being the courageous boy that you were then. If I haven’t, let me thank you today that you were and I thank you again that today as a MAN, you remain fearless in your pursuit of the best life for me, Jam and Cicc. Thank you for being undeterred in sharing a life with (the difficult) me; unflinching in trying to be a good father and husband despite many lapses in all fifteen years; for not seeing us as an encumbrance but as a sense of purpose in your life.
And I praise the Lord even more because I know that more than being duty-bound to us, you being duty-bound to the LORD is the one driving force in your life right now. So for all the reasons I said in the last seven days and the future I LOVE YOU! And I kneel before the Lord, thank Him for you and pray.
Lord, pour out Your immense blessings to all fathers in the world that they may be inspired to be like You. I especially lift up to you my husband, Paul. I pray that you may continue to let him grow in love with You, for him to know You profusely and that You may reveal Your purpose and love for him. I claim blessings for him to excel in his job as a husband, father, son, brother or friend...a provider, protector and pastor; in his profession, among friends and relatives, use him mightily to be the salt and light for others to know You. Mold and knead him to be the man You called him to be. I pray that you will use me and mold me to bless him further with a supportive heart, loving him extravagantly, understanding him generously and encouraging him daily. Most of all, I pray that you bless him divinely and equip him profusely to be a godly father from this day forth, through all his days for your glory and honor. Amen.
~~
Every morning I wake up and see,
The most handsome man lying next to me.
He's the one I cherish and love,
A blessing sent from Heaven above.
I will love him as a faithful wife should,
And do everything for him I could.
I would let him know every day,
That I love him more than words can say.
For the two children we have together,
And the love for God in each other.
It will keep our love for each other strong,
And the Lord will guide us away from all wrong.
© Jessica L. Newsome
~~ For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. -- 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12
For some guys, fatherhood posed as a threat rather than a promise--of stifled life plan and abandoned dreams. To some extent, it brings out the coward in them, a buzzer prematurely ending the wild days, men seeing it as throwing away one's life. But you! You weren't like any of those. You were so ready to marry me, give a name to our child and throw cautions to the wind. We were probably too high on each other that we took the song “Love Will Keep us Alive” quite literally. You were unafraid.
In all seventeen years since that fateful day, I don’t know whether I have thanked you for being the courageous boy that you were then. If I haven’t, let me thank you today that you were and I thank you again that today as a MAN, you remain fearless in your pursuit of the best life for me, Jam and Cicc. Thank you for being undeterred in sharing a life with (the difficult) me; unflinching in trying to be a good father and husband despite many lapses in all fifteen years; for not seeing us as an encumbrance but as a sense of purpose in your life.
And I praise the Lord even more because I know that more than being duty-bound to us, you being duty-bound to the LORD is the one driving force in your life right now. So for all the reasons I said in the last seven days and the future I LOVE YOU! And I kneel before the Lord, thank Him for you and pray.
Lord, pour out Your immense blessings to all fathers in the world that they may be inspired to be like You. I especially lift up to you my husband, Paul. I pray that you may continue to let him grow in love with You, for him to know You profusely and that You may reveal Your purpose and love for him. I claim blessings for him to excel in his job as a husband, father, son, brother or friend...a provider, protector and pastor; in his profession, among friends and relatives, use him mightily to be the salt and light for others to know You. Mold and knead him to be the man You called him to be. I pray that you will use me and mold me to bless him further with a supportive heart, loving him extravagantly, understanding him generously and encouraging him daily. Most of all, I pray that you bless him divinely and equip him profusely to be a godly father from this day forth, through all his days for your glory and honor. Amen.
~~
Every morning I wake up and see,
The most handsome man lying next to me.
He's the one I cherish and love,
A blessing sent from Heaven above.
I will love him as a faithful wife should,
And do everything for him I could.
I would let him know every day,
That I love him more than words can say.
For the two children we have together,
And the love for God in each other.
It will keep our love for each other strong,
And the Lord will guide us away from all wrong.
© Jessica L. Newsome
~~ For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. -- 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12