Vincent M.

Fatherhood from a Different Perspective

Fatherhood is a long everlasting journey filled with sorrow, joy, pain, pride, faith, and love. You try your best to pour wisdom, faith, and love into each child and it will change you in great, but unexpected ways.

The day I married my wife, Aug. 1, 2008, I become a father. I was inheriting two beautiful princesses; 15 and 2. I read the Bible, blogs, and informative articles about being a husband a new parent. I was ready! Wrong! I played myself. Remember when you told yourself “When I become a father, I am going to do this and that,” well, half of that flies out the window when your baby turns 18 months old. Now, remember I had just inherited a 2-year-old and a teenager, and oh, by the way, a beautiful wife. I was also only 30 years old (mentally 25 years old) in a big economy with struggling businesses, and new a marriage - God help us all.

Over the last 10 years, fatherhood has forced me to grow up. Now, I have a 25-year-old woman, a 12-year-old young lady, and a 9-year-old boy. Fatherhood has made me look at situations from a different perspective. It has forced me to really examine myself. I have developed a new level of patience and I have discovered a new level of love. I had to learn to discipline them fairly, firmly, and with love. I also made sure not to say or do the wrong thing. For example, I prayed for God to develop me into a leader at work because I wanted to move up. God said, “Are you a leader at home?” I said to myself, “They don’t listen to me.” He said, “Make them listen and not with physical force, but through service and love.” Therefore, fatherhood has taught me, I can’t be a great man without being a great father. I am a work in progress.

— Vincent M.

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