Some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned since Emory was born last May have come from the new role that I now have as a dad. I’ve heard people say that having a kid changes you more than you could ever expect. I can tell you without a doubt that it’s 100% true and happened faster than I expected. I’ve changed more over the past [almost] eight months than probably the past decade, especially in the area of my emotions. I’ve learned to open my heart more fully. I’ve learned what it really means to love someone more than you love yourself.

The most surprising lesson I’ve learned from Emory has been what worshiping God really looks like. I never thought that a person who doesn’t know how to talk could really teach me a profound lesson. The Psalms are a book of worship. One theme that runs throughout the book is that we, as God’s children, are to delight ourselves in Him. I now know what this looks like. I can also say, ashamedly, that my delighting in God is no where near where it should be in comparison to Emory’s delighting in me.

The squeals that Emory makes when I look down on her are more pure expressions of joy than any of the words that I’ve sung to the Lord. The giggles that she makes when I tickle her are more authentic than the prayers that I’ve prayed to my Savior. The smiles that makes when she sees me are deeper than the happiness I find when I study God’s Word.

Who would have known that one little ball of joy could teach, convict, and redirect my life lived as an expression of worship to God so dramatically and so soon. I love thinking about the journey of life that I’ll share with my daughter and the rest of the lessons that she’ll teach me. And hopefully I’ll be able to teach her a thing or two along the way.

Last night was really cool. Brea had mentioned that she saw when the baby was moving earlier in the day and late last night I saw it too. She was going nuts for about ten minutes. It was the first time I had seen anything, but I had felt her kick quite a few times before.

In other news, we’re starting to strongly consider naming her Emory. The basic meaning of the name is “strength,” which would be one characteristic we’d like her to have. We’d also like her to be balanced with a more feminine middle name, but no real good leads on that.