Four Years Ago Today, We Launched into the Deep of Parenthood

Jesus once told his disciples to "launch out into the deep, and let down your nets." That's what my wife and I did on this day four years ago when our first child entered the world. 

Children have blessed our lives in eternal ways, pulling us outside ourselves to focus on their ever-present needs. Parenting has truly been a bitter and sweet experience — and that's a good thing. The many late nights, loud screams, dirty diapers, bonked heads and doctor visits have been accompanied by just as many adventurous bedtime stories, infectious bouts of laughter, sweet kisses, cute pictures and fun playtime. 

Without question, we know that we need our children as much as our children need us. Parenthood is a refining process that functions as a constant invitation to be, in the words of Peter, "partakers of the divine nature," and therefore to become like our Heavenly Father.

We're grateful.