Bryan D. Gill

(Click to read entire article.) How do you disciple your son when he’s just a baby? I’ve asked myself this question so many times in the last eight months. I’ve struggled to see my role in this whole parenting thing, really. Honestly, a mother’s role is very defined, especially in Sir Charles’ case. My wife is nursing him and supplementing with pureed fruits and veggies (which aren’t half bad, by the way). She stays at home with him, plays with him, dresses, feeds him, reads to him, teaches him colors, shapes…you get the picture. There are things that she does that I don’t have the privilege of doing. Right now, her role is clearly defined (by her choice, just so we’re clear). My role, however, not so much. I know that my time will come when I can teach him things like grace, forgiveness, unconditional love and acceptance the same way that my dad taught me. A lot of those lessons will come through just being present and intentional with my actions and words. I will have to mode...

       I heard a lot of things growing up from a lot of people: my mom, sister, teachers, ministers, friends, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, coaches, teammates, and opponents. Each one would tell me different things in their own way. My mom would lovingly tell me not to do something and when I wouldn't listen, the switches came out. (Then I listened.) My teachers would threaten me with detention or sitting out in the hall...I was scared to death of detention. My coaches would yell and growl...somewhere between the tobacco spit and sweat, I learned how to play. My ministers would speak the truth of God's word...either from the pulpit or one on one. My sister, aunts, uncles, and cousins would praise me for whatever...since I was one of the only boys in the family. Teammates gave me "attaboys" and opponents made threats. Much of what they told me went in one ear and out the other.        However, there ...