First book I ever read by myself:

Green Eggs and Ham

Lately I have been reading this book to my kids and they love it. It still makes me think about breakfast. It is funny how a book can illicit such fond memories. I used to read that book over and over way back in elementary school.

The same thing happens with some songs and movies. I will put something like The Little Mermaid in for my girls, and remember back to when my sister would take over the television for days just to watch The Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast. I still love Princess Bride. ha ha.

One could easily apply this to Biblical principles, verses, and the sort. I remember living out in the woods with my parents. I would put on my walk-man and dance and sing to Amy Grant worship music. When I think back to that time of simple worship where I didn't care if people were looking, I can sense the Holy Spirit's prescience.

Sometimes when I am with my children, I can sense the Lord's prescience. I wish I was more aware of this prescience during my times of anger and aggression. Though those times are few and far between, it would still would be nice to recognize the Lord's prescience.

Why do we complicate things with self interest, greed, anxiety, and the want for things? Sometimes the simple Green Eggs and Ham is all you need.

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The Approach

The attitude that we possess when we are entering a new situation has a great deal to offer towards the outcome being strongly positive or considerably miserable. Facing storms in our days takes a great deal of preparation and courage: not one person truly likes unrequested emergencies, challenging circumstances and heartbreaks. Being prepared for some of them lessens the pain and amount of tears shed. But they happen and sometimes they seem to pop up like pimples on a smooth face. 

Our position in the family as father has a direct impact on decisions made and the depth of the family’s self-esteem.

The skill set of a Sailboat Captain is remarkable and deep:

• He must know every inch of his vessel

• He must understand the power of the motors 

• He must know the size and stresses of each sail and the masts they ride upon

• He must have a good relationship with his crew

• He must realize, HE CANNOT DO IT ALL 

The role of the father in the house must be open and have a base Kenostic catalyst in order for future and continued successes. The father’s role in the house must imitate the way Christ Jesus moves in his life – open and accepting. Kenosis defined in the father/dad – his heart and mind must be open to receive criticism, heartache, frustration and moments of solitude while in a crowd of people or engaged in conversation with the members of his family.  A father must empty out of himself so his family can grow and feed into each other’s days.

KEY FOR SUCCESS

Dad, you are not the only smart person in the house!!

The new or rediscovered father must do the following to have peace and success in his house:

• He must look ahead with bright & positive attitude

• He must trust and believe in all the members of his house

• He must understand that the burden of the family is not a one person adventure

• He must be willing to COMMUNICATE WITH HIS WIFE

• He must be willing to talk and listen to his family’s needs and see their inherited abilities

• He must know the character / personality of his soul mate and TRUST HER to take the wheel from time to time

• He must realize, He Cannot Do It All On His Own

All of the above and more can lead to a great many successful voyages.

Family life should be likened to the life of the crew of a sailboat. They are varied in size, capabilities and can handle certain situations and storms with / without a full complement (crew). Certain situations can be so overwhelming that it may take the entire family’s prayers, discussions and tears to reach a final and good decision to keep the boat afloat. That is, if the crew has been given all of the information about the storm facing the family.

LEARNING CURVE

Growing up, there was a simple rule for the children of the house concerning adult conversation, “kids are to stay out of adult conversation.” Well, after commenting in three different conversations, I removed myself from the room as soon as Mother’s friends would show up with that, I Need Help Look. Their business to me was their business.

Now that I have a family of my own, I keep to the same rule, but have found myself leaving the room when my wife’s friends come to the house.  Their business is their business. Well, that is if she wants me to be in the conversation and my wisdom is of value and warranted. This took time to learn and receive on both parts. Questions would arise to the nature of me leaving the room and how far I trust my wife. My answer is always the same; they are my wife’s friends and their conversation should not involve me unless my wife is in the room. 

Trust and Respect follows great and open communication. Texting me while we are in the same house, shows glimpses of a limited and dying relationship. If we are unable to open our mouths and speak to all members of our family about any approaching storm, the family’s sailboat will begin to take on water and ultimately sink.

SURE FOOTING

Though the deck of any ocean-going vessel is slippery, the short, shoulder wide steps allow each member of the crew to get around the boat safely and complete needed tasks to keep the voyage enjoyable.

–said like a DAD in development

When each person moves in the house with pride and care, each is careful not to create confusion or step on any toes in order to keep the peace and the family focused on making it through the storm with an ability to completely enjoy those days of sunshine and smooth waters.

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WARNING: This could be gross.

As a parent of a one year old, I have come across a rather weird situation. There are often times when I’m alone with my son at home (no big deal), and I got to pee. No matter how well I try to time the day, the need always seems to happen when he’s awake. So I’m stuck with three options: 1) hold it (ya right), 2) lock him out of the bathroom and listen to him scream, or 3) let him into the bathroom with me.

I opt for number 3. I’m not sure what psychological damage I’m doing to my son, but maybe the example will help him potty train. It has to be better than letting my son think his daddy’s locked himself away, right?

Here’s where the gross part comes up. Advert your eyes if you feel it necessary.

My son has that inquisitive nature. You know, the one that means he has to touch everything so he can figure out what it is. Right now, he’s fascinated with the toilet. This has naturally led to a rather awkward balance of one hand taking care of business and the other holding my son away from the toilet.

I was reflecting on this the other day (partly because I’m sure it’s left me with some psychological damage), and it occurred to me that this is often how God ends up treating me. See, my curiosity often gets the better of me, and I go wondering into something I shouldn’t be. God, who is ever so gracious, doesn’t just lock me out. Sadly, I don’t always have the impulse control to keep out of things I shouldn’t be in. I end up forcing God to do a balance of letting me in and holding me back.

It’s amazing how often I look at my son and think to myself that he’s years away from being mature enough to know what isn’t good for him. This begs me to look at my own life and question whether or not I am mature enough. I find more often than not I simply failed to keep myself on the right path and out of trouble.

Yet the amazing thing is this: I, like my son with me, never lose God’s love. No matter what I get myself into, God is always there to guide me out.

So when I’m taking care of business, I reflect on what I’ve gotten myself into that day. When I need help out, I look for the hand of God to hold me back.

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This is not a condemnation of tattoos (I will probably, maybe get one someday) or of my son.

My son came home with a new Las Vegas tattoo on his inner left forearm Sunday evening. I laughed and wanted to cry. I think about tattoos as identity. After all, they become a part of you for life. I find my identity in Jesus and cannot imagine permanently etching anything into my body that does not convey that reality.

Eli also has a D III tattoo. It denotes family. It draws a line of connection between his grandfather, Orville Douglas; his father, Daniel Douglas; and himself, Elijah Douglas. I get that. I am drawn to get a tattoo that supports my son’s and mirrors his commitment to legacy. However, I have not because even that falls short of my standard for identity. But wait, there is more.

I am called to speak out against consumerism. Our materialistic society encourages us to work hard so that we can purchase our identity on the free market. The brands we own, the experiences we buy, and the individual productivity they represent define who we are. Work hard, play hard, live well! Anything else is a sin. The Holy City of consumerism is, of course, Las Vegas (Macau learned it all from us.  Sorry New York and Los Angeles. Try harder). I freaked—quietly, on the inside. I thought, “Is this all my fault?”

I encourage Eli to question my life style and challenge God. “Do not repeat my mistakes. Be better than me as I hope to be better than my father. Tell God you don’t believe and walk away. If God is real like I believe, you’ll find out. Just, please o' please o', avoid sitting safely in the middle. Do not be one of millions of Americans who say they believe in Jesus, plan on going to heaven, and avoid the inconvenience of living a Christian life.” I am confident he will grow into maturity with full possession of his own identity and his own faith. I’m not raising a mini-me. I am, or at least I was, excited to see how Eli’s identify will form . . . A Las Vegas brand for life . . . Oh no!

After I finished flailing about internally and lamenting silently, I asked Eli why he choose to mark himself with a symbol representing a place much of the world refers to as Sin City. It turns out that he thinks of tattoos as narrative. Having spent the majority of his life here, Eli wanted a sign to help him tell that story. Stories and symbols I understand. My aesthetics may not match Eli’s, but I am not in an all-out panic yet.

Please pray for our family, if you are feeling led. read more