Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from Him.
—Psalm 127:3
I’ve been asking the universe to help me project a more inviting and approachable vibe lately, and I swear it’s been working. It seems like every other day, at least one new stranger is striking up a conversation with me, whereas before, I was definitely giving off a more aloof and closed-off vibe.
The other day, I went “surfing” (i.e., falling) on my lunch break, and on the way back to the car, a young man pushing a stroller stopped me to ask how long it took me to learn. I was honest and told him I’d just started, but here’s a pro tip: The key to being a surfer is really just about looking like a surfer, carrying the board around with a swagger and strapping it to the roof of your car to look cool and whatnot. (Pay no attention to the huge rash on my chest because I didn’t realize how much the wax can rub you raw.)
Anyway, this guy and I got to chatting and I asked him how fatherhood changed his life, to give me one positive and one negative thing. Immediately, he said, “The negative is you can’t do whatever you want anymore. Someone’s always gotta watch the baby.” Then there was a pause and an exhale as he shook his head, mulling over the positive. I thought he was struggling to come up with a single one, but he put that notion to rest by saying, “There are too many positives to name.”
That was encouraging to hear because I’ve at times wondered if I’d care to have children someday. Something about the freedom and financial cushion to be able to go out and do things like take up surfing on a whim sure is appealing. But when this guy took his child out of the stroller and let her wander over to the beach, and at the same time shared his positive, saying, “She’s always so happy,” she dug her toes into the sand and looked back at her father beaming with a smile and that moment seemed so priceless. Then he added, “Plus, chicks dig it,” and I was sold.
Was there much wisdom to be derived from the above quote that you didn’t already know? Probably not. But it’s a good reminder that sometimes moments like these cross your path when you least expect it.