I love to squat heavy and press hundreds of pounds over my head. I think it's some great fun. However, I love a great cold brewed coffee with a fantastic book that has absolutely nothing to do with fitness, but theology or Mexican-American literature and writing about culture. On the same note, I love to connect with people, especially leaders in the local church who are on mission in their city. 

I'm like you, on the go. Most days I'm up by 6 in the morning, while others at 3:30 in the morning. If I'm not reading and cooking breakfast for my son and I before he goes to school, I'm getting my bag ready with food and my gear so I can go and coach classes while my family stays warm and toasty. 

My work is different and I love it because it is the charge God has entrusted me with this season. When I'm meeting with community group leaders, I'm hearing about their struggles, success, and sin; walking alongside of them in their seasons, not supervising at a distance. When I'm at the box, I'm coaching athletes who desire to be healthy in a region that has the highest rate of obesity in the country.

In the end, whether I'm praying for the men who lead their families and groups into a mission field or helping someone adjust their foot-work so they can squat properly, my charge is their care.  What's your charge? 

This is the final post in our Fatherhood Series. 

God is Author and Creator which means that He has specifically given us particular gifts.

In my experience, both as a son and as a new father, I have come to find that many parents wish their children were more like them or identified with rubrics- giving them a list of things to do and be or a set of standards that are simply handled and done. For many, I think they would feel like that would make parenting easier.

Creativity as an Image 

In the past month, my son has wanted to be a comic book illustrator, an engineer, an architect, a writer, a drummer, and a sniper. I can be extremely realistic on some of these desires by plainly saying, "Yeah, no." But then I'd be bursting his dream bubble.

We must realize and embrace the creativity our kids have towards certain aspirations. While my son may be one, some, or none of his mentioned dreams the fact is that he is creative and that's who God has made him to be. I want to celebrate that.

If we are image bearers of God, then my son's aspirations and daily activities of Lego construction and Nerf Sniper training are small reflections of God characteristics. God is the ultimate creative and He has created Seth in His likeness.

Our kids will be everything; from thinkers to builders; artists to athletes. The big questions are:  (1) Are you embracing the person God has created them to be? And (2) are you walking along side of them in support and wisdom? 

However you would like to define the term "discipleship," one thing is true: it's investment. 

While I am still new to the Fatherhood club, there is something I'd like to share and it may be completely obvious or it may turn on the light bulb. We are all quite skilled at unintentional discipleship. 

The Table and Hallway

Uncle Ben in the movie Spider-Man said it best, "with great power comes great responsibility."

If you haven't realized in all of your understanding, then get understanding: super heroes and villains don't exist on T.V. anymore, they sit at the head of the table; secret lairs and hide-outs with extravagant entrances are a thing of the past because the room is down the hall.

Men, whether you sit down with your kids to teach them how to fold laundry or do not bother to apologize when daddy screws up after yelling at mommy, I promise you're still investing and discipling them. 

Making War

Jesus tells the disciples that "the one who is faithful with a little will also be faithful in much." Anyway you slice it, we are all going to be faithful at something and as we invest in our children, our job is to determine what the little is.

I understand that parenting can be frustrating and saying "because as I said so" is easier, but we're dads so let's suck it up. If we can't take the bull by its horns right now, our kids won't be able to either when we're gone.

Let us make war with the tension in our minds before time runs out.

In the Rio Grande Valley, 40% of kids will be born into father-less homes. Other statistics suggest that a larger number of kids will be brought up in a home dominant in machismo culture. 

Amigos, we are in a shortage of men. Men who not only lead out of humility, but biblical conviction.

We need men who are actively answering the call of fatherhood who, despite the circumstance or odds, face the pleasant adversity of raising their kids.

We need men who will lead by serving and demonstrating sacrifice because I promise you, someone is always watching.

The Reality of the Call

My alarm went off at 5:30 in the morning. I got out of bed and walked to my office to sit and read when it hit me: my wife and son are in bed, warm and cozy and it is my responsibility to protect them.

When I became a husband and father, I didn't have time to sit and evaluate the reality of the decision and covenant I had made. It was done. My job had become to actively lead, love, and protect.

Adoption

My biggest encouragement came from Jesus.

There is nothing I could do to become His and nothing I can do to un-become His. Jesus chose me, died for me, and adopted me because of His merit, not mine.

I have chosen Seth, my son, despite any good or bad, fail or success. I have chosen Him and adopted him into my line and there is nothing he can ever do to undo that; all because I love him.

Fear is real. And it sucks. But I implore you and I challenge you to face the fear of being a father. It's not easy, I understand. But our call, as men, on what must be done is much greater than how we feel.

Brothers: Concerts to Comfort

The year was 1989 and Anthrax was on tour in the U.K. promoting the release of their album, Among the Living. I was only 4 years old and on Friday nights, my parents would head out leaving my brother, Meme (19) and I alone to claim the living room as our personal stage.

Meme had purchased the exclusive Among the Living VHS package and our night consisted of him turning into Charlie Benante (drummer) and me becoming Scott Ian (rhythm guitarist). Together we would head-bang until the lights of our parents 1993 Dodge Caravan would flash through the front windows of our house.

Meme and I have always been close. But in recent years, after finishing college and maturing a bit, I like to believe I have finally caught up.

A Funeral and Need

Our Tia Maria passed away over a year ago and it was quite difficult for our family.  It felt all of the sudden and as a way of coping with her loss, I think everyone made great effort through hospitality and finances in effort to comfort one another.

Meme and my parents had gone to Mexico and the funeral to be of help and extend care for our family. After the funeral, Meme was showing me pictures of our cousins, catching me up on their lives, and relaying messages of how much they missed us.

As Meme was telling me some of the running jokes and serious moments, he began crying. It wasn't necessarily the death of our Tia, though tragic, but the emotional absence in our Tio Rolando, Tia's husband, and I believe what tore my brother up the most was knowing he couldn't physically help him; his heart was broken.

The Gospel in Comfort

I could have shared a bible verse dealing with comfort or offered an analogy on defining that Tio was simply in shock. But that wasn't the point.

My big brother needed me. He needed me to cry with him because his heart was hurting and the only extension of the gospel that I could offer was to mourn and grieve with him.

The point of the gospel is not only to proclaim that because of Jesus we are forgiven, but also that through Jesus we are given comfort because He can relate (John 11).