Joel Young Blog.com

To borrow a phrase form the Notorious B.I.G., “I love it when you call me big pappa!” And right now I do, because I’m officially a dad, and I am loving every second of it. My very first son, Reed Owen Young, was born last Tuesday and weighed a very average 7lbs. 6oz. (I think all parents pray for average when their children are born). I know a lot of you have been hearing my wife and I talk about his arrival for quite a while and have prayed for his safety many times and for that we both are truly grateful. It truly has been a mountain-top experience for both of us.

I’ll never forget those first moments in the delivery room immediately after he came into this world. he was naked, messy, and throwing a royal fit, but I thought he was perfect. They put him on a warming table to record all his stats and he was just opening up those lungs as babies naturally do when they are first born, and then I reached out and touched his little hand with my finger and mumbled what I could to him through my tears, and he stopped crying and looked directly at me. He had a great sense of ease knowing I was there. From that moment on I realized I was truly a Big Pappa and this little guy would look at me like that for the rest of his life.

Never have I been more frightened and excited simultaneously before. I thank God every day for the opportunity that Jenna and I have to raise our child in the ways of His kingdom.