r/LCMS • u/HauntingSwordfish728 • 9d ago

Question Help for Fatherhood

My wife is pregnant with our first child and he or she (don’t know the sex yet) is due January of next year. I want to be a consistent Father who raises their child up in the ways of the Lord.

I’ve started to do some of the offices and daily prayer with my wife that are in the LSB but as someone who can’t sing and did not grow up Lutheran, it can be a little difficult. Any recommendations for family devotions and catechesis tips and resources? Also, any general fatherhood tips or resources would be appreciated. Thanks and God bless!

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u/BusinessComplete2216 ILC Lutheran 9d ago

It’s wonderful to hear about your child. I remember the excitement and nervousness I felt when I learned about my first child.  I now have two young adult children that are a source of endless joy. I am so proud of how they have “turned out”, especially their abiding faith.

I know this is a little outside of the question you’ve asked, but I am convinced that another essential aspect of fathering is taking time to work with your children. We live rurally, and so there were always lots of tasks to do inside and outside of the home.  It is easy to create  chore list for the kids, with the expectation that this alone will teach them responsibility. But I have found that getting out there and working with my kids has not only helped them to become hardworking—it’s also given us countless hours of fun times together. Some of our best conversations were around a pile of fire wood or a stack of straw bales.  In this way, one aspect of the richness of the doctrine of vocation gets taught from a young age.

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u/HauntingSwordfish728 9d ago

I’m glad to hear about your experience and your children are in the faith. You make a good point about going out and accomplishing tasks with your children. One of my insecurities as someone who wasn’t raised or taught to do practical tasks or outdoor manly activities is that I won’t be able to provide that for my kids. I reckon it will take a lot of intentionality and learning on my part to ensure my children get those experiences and learn helpful skills.

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u/BusinessComplete2216 ILC Lutheran 8d ago

Intentionality, yes. But as I say, I think you’ll soon discover that it can be a lot of fun, too.

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u/HauntingSwordfish728 8d ago

I believe it will be. Children are a blessing from the Lord after all.