Fatherhood

The 6th of February saw me become father to Abigail Louise Dolan. Amidst all the busyness and lack of sleep that a baby brings I have been thinking a bit about the responsibilities of being a parent.

It has struck me several time over the past couple of weeks, just how dependent a new born baby is on its parents. Food, clothing, changing nappies, stimulation, protecting the head as the neck muscles develop. A baby relies totally on others. As she grows up Abi will be progressively able to do all these things herself and my role as a father will change. Out will go nappy changing and in will come support with school work, pocket money, etc.

While all these and many more responsibilities await me, none is my greatest responsibility towards Abi. The greatest priviledge and responsibility of being Abi’s father is to bring her up “in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4).

Please pray for me (and Kate) that we will, with God’s help, fulfil this responsibility and that one day we can rejoice with all the angels in heaven when she falls at the feet of Jesus in repentance and faith of her own.

There are more photos of Abi online and most of them don’t have me in them.