And Then There Were Two…

Hello teens and church family. Nearly 72 hours now removed from the birth of our second baby girl, Brooklyn Elaine McClure, I have had some time to reflect on the magnitude of it all. I’m not sure if you are aware of this, but having kids is a BIG deal! What an awesome experience it is to say the least.

As I reflect on these last 3 days, there are some lessons that I have learned from the birth of a second child. I hope these lessons will be a blessing to you (or at least put a smile on your face).

1. Witnessing the miracle of a birth will never get old.

One might think that after the first child, it just becomes rather routine watching another child be born. That couldn’t be further from the truth. There really aren’t words to describe witnessing the birth of your child. It’s terrifying and exhilarating all at the same time. You want to scream at the top of your lungs and cry like a little baby all at the same time. Like the commercial says, it’s priceless.

2. Being stuck in the hospital for a few days is not a bad thing.

There is a myth out there that hospital food is no good, but whoever started that has not experienced Hendricks County Hospital food. It is delicious! Tiffany and I ate like champs for the 3 days we were there. So for a few days, we have no responsibilities, no cares in the world, along with great food and friendly hospital staff. I think I’m ready to have a 3rd child.

3. God is so good

To think that just a few short years ago, Tiffany and I were wondering if children were even a possibility for us. We had tried for some time to have a child, and were starting to wonder if there were complications that we needed to look into. Here we are a few years later, and God has blessed us with two awesome girls. One who looks just like her daddy (kind of scary), and now one who it appears will look like here mommy (thankfully). Like the song says,  “God’s been good, in my life, I’ve been blessed beyond my wildest dreams…”

4. Daddy has a lot more work to do

It has become very clear to me after being home for only 1 day now, that my work load at home has picked up big time. Although I have the best wife in the world and she complains about nothing, she will need daddy to step up and help out more. I thought having the summer off meant I had all this time available to get everything I wanted accomplished (like conquering the world) but it appears that might not be the case. Changing diapers, giving baths, playing outside, and watching Mickey will be my main accomplishments this summer (and I’m ok with that).

5. I better intensify my praying for wisdom

My goal is to pray for wisdom every day. I need wisdom for that particular day and I need wisdom for the future. Having children has a way of reminding you of the awesome responsibility you have to lead and guide your family. I have a wife and two little girls who God has placed under my care, and I don’t want to take that lightly. I need God’s wisdom and direction in my life now more than ever.

6. Enjoy every stage of their life because they grow up so fast

You don’t realize how fast your kid is growing up until you have the chance to start over with another one. Kaylee just seems so old and advanced now that we have Brooklyn. It seems like she has grown up so fast. God has reminded me in the last few days that while I’m out there trying to conquer the world and keep up with a non-stop schedule, make sure that doesn’t come at the expense of family. My ministry is only as strong as my family. If I lose my family, then I have essentially lost my ministry.

 

Well, those are just a few of the lessons that I have learned here in the last few days. No doubt I have a lot more to learn along the way. What a great joy it is to be a father and to serve the Heavenly Father.