THE JOYS OF FATHERHOOD

Maybe you have seen the innumerable Facebook posts of daily life activities; maybe you have watched the cellphone video clips on Youtube; or maybe you have seen the quotes on Twitter and/or the pictures and video on Instagram . . . But for those of you who know me, or have followed me for some time, you may know the classic hash-tag of #TheJoysOfFatherhood . . .


My son is my pride and joy, and I am learning more every day as a Father.  Many times when people ask me how Christian is doing I respond with "He's an old man... Sometimes I feel like he's my Dad!" and in many ways it is so true... His innocence, purity, and awe of the world around him is something I aspire to be more like each and every day.  My goal as The Symbol is that even if it is for no one else I pray that I can be The Symbol for him.  I have had mistakes and faults, and continue to do so every day  But I just hope that when my son reaches maturity(which already seems like its happening too fast. lol) he will say that his Father did everything in his power to be a great light in the world.  At the current moment, I do not have the greatest amount of financial wealth or power of influence but I do have my talents, skills, and a daily life creating art and living for others.  I pray that this is the inspiration he observes and learns from.


A few weeks ago, I became emotionally overcome and posted a Facebook status that stated "I wish only to be the Patron Saint of my son's life."  This is the greatest truth of all that I hold... Just the other night I was inspired to write this prayer and thought I should share for my fellow parents.  This is a personal prayer for my family, but I hope you embrace these words yourselves and are inspired to tweak it for your own situations and circumstances in your own families.....


Lord God Heavenly Father...
Teach me as your son, so that I may be a Father to my son.

Please instruct me so that I may instruct him.
Please guide me so that I may guide him.
Please protect me so that I may protect him.
Please embrace me with your affection so that I may give him proper affection.
Shelter me so that I may shelter him.
Feed me so that I may feed him.

Grant me your peace.

God may I always trust in you,
And even in my times of fault and failure may your power overshadow me to bring me from my own darkness to your eternal light.

I wish to be but a mere Symbol of you in his life,
So that as he grows into his own manhood he may find you and be with you always in love, 
In complete peace

Being a Symbol of you for the rest of the world.

Holy as you are.
Forever.

Amen.


- All is Love
- The Symbol