Rachel and I are expecting our first child on March 1st and because of that I have been really praying about what kind of parent I want to be. Everyday I learn how little I know. I thought I would share with you four things that I am going to try to do/be as a parent.

1)I don't want to raise a child who is experientially rich and relationally poor. It seems that so many parents get consumed with taking their child to every water park and beach in the south, have them in every sport and eat at every cool restaurant there is. Most kids spend their childhood perfecting skills that they will NEVER use in their adult life. For me I played basketball every waking moment from 4th-12th grade. Now I play one hour a week on our Church team in the B-League! We haven't even won a game yet. I would much rather have my little girl know people who love her over skills that have no real value. Not to say that these things are not important just in moderation.

2)I want to love her to life, not death. There are going to be points in my daughters life where she is going to begin going down the wrong path. I know that he sweet little eyes are going to have a lot of sway but I pray that when this happens i will step in and be her parent and not her friend who is afraid to hurt her feelings.

3)I don't ever want to forget that she is a blessing from God. I don't ever want her to just be my daughter. I never want it to become routine having her around. I'm sure there will be day's when I want/need to get away but God has blessed us with her and I never want to take that blessing for granted.

4)I want to take responsibility for my daughter to know who Jesus Christ is and that he loves her. Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. This is not the responsibility of her school. This is not the responsibility of her Sunday school teacher. This is not just the responsibility of her mother.

As I write this I do understand that I have no clue what I am getting into but that should never keep me from trying. Feel free to email me if you have any great advice. bgoode@sjlife.com