When I heard that my wife and I were expecting our first child, I was that weird dad that told everyone. I mean everyone. I told family, friends, neighbors, and strangers because, after all, my kid was going to change the world so I thought others should know.
My wife and I took the breathing classes and we were ready for this little world changer to make his appearance. We started reading up on what to expect through the months of pregnancy. We got the baby room ready (Looney Tunes themed in case you wondered). We were all systems go like NASA before a perfect shuttle launch. Then, it happened. Our son was born and we were off into the great world of parenting. The launch was a bit bumpy, but we were making a go of it.
I was sure that our son was going to be a little Einstein, Roosevelt, or maybe even a Neil Armstrong, but first I had to learn how to change his diaper. I don’t know astrophysics, but I am pretty sure it is comparable. There is the “I can’t believe something so beautiful could produce something so vile” effect. Then, there is the difficulty with having everything within arms reach while you are cleaning up a thermonuclear waste-filled diaper. It’s like trying to put all the stars into a universe envelope.
Also, I was very naïve to think that if I am changing his diaper then he surely could hold it long enough. I am not sure if it was pure spite, the cold air, or the fact that he didn’t like the shirt I had on, but … geyser.
Yes, geyser. I was wrong. Another fail.
Lastly, I am not sure you know this but kids don’t sit still when changing their diapers. You would think that they would appreciate the fact that you would prefer to be doing anything else at that moment but nope. They don’t care. They just want to be free. This would have been valuable information to read in one of those books, but once again, it was surprisingly difficult.
Okay, enough of the dirty diapers talk, but that is a good example of something from everyday life that can make us feel overwhelmed or inept.
Men, have you ever felt like you don’t have what it takes?
It’s safe to say that we have all been there at one time or another. It’s easy to get in over our heads from simple tasks like changing a diaper to making a business decision, purchasing a home or speaking into our wife’s heart. I have good news. The poet John Donne was right when he said that no man is an island but a part of something much bigger. You were made to rely on other people.
“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors, there is safety. (Proverbs 11:14 ESV)
Did you catch the last part? There is safety in the abundance of counselors. During a launch, there are people looking at every aspect of the spacecraft and its environment. That being said the abundance of counselors should never conflict with the Counselor (John 14:16-18).
As the sun lights a gloomy soul, this is news to brighten your day, lighten your posture, and enhance your ability to make decisions in these volatile, confusing, or unpredictable times. God, who knows and sees everything, has given every born again Christian the Holy Spirit as a Counselor to blast off into our destiny with less regret and more confidence (Proverbs 14:26).
Consider this verse for application:
Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
I will never be an astronaut, but I am a husband, dad, pastor, friend, leader, and mentor of men; what I do is very important. I am sure you feel the same about this mission called life. We need to ask God and others for help when we feel like we are going from Earth to Mars on a bottle rocket. Even then, we have nothing to fear because God is with us (Isaiah 41:10).
Rejoice in that and enjoy the ride!
Chad N. Zueck is the founder of A New Kind of Man. He has been working with men for decades and enjoys helping men to be strong physically, spiritually, relationally and intellectually. He is a US Navy veteran and holds a Master’s degree from Liberty University. He and his family live in Middle Georgia, where Chad pastors Dublin Bible Church.
what a riot describing the miracle and gross parts of a new babe! OH I am so glad I am beyond those thermonuclear days. hahahahaha. And my husband is constantly growing, constantly showing himself as leader of our home, my own spiritual life seeing him so close to the Lord. Our lives are so oft a mess that we have to rely on God and others to clean up our mess. Daily! Amen.
Great article