Beverly Hills

So tonight we took Kennedy to her first real movie ever! She's been to 2 others but as a baby and didn't really know what was going on. But tonight...tonight was her night! We took her to see:

That's right. We saw Beverly Hills Chihuahua on opening night! Every time one of the commercials come on TV Kennedy would stare at the TV very intensely. Every time they showed a dog she would yell "Doggie" or "Yaiya" (as she thinks Chihuahua's are all called Kaiya...since that is what one of hers is called...hehe). So we have been telling her that we would take her to see it when it came out. We even let her pick out her outfit.

Being a dad changes you in many many ways, but one of them is that it totally changes what is important in your life. For instance, 2 years ago had this movie come out, I could have cared less. I would have thought it was cute, being that we have Chi's, but figured I *might* watch it if it came on TV. But today, it was all I could think about. I couldn't wait to get home to pick up my girl's and take them to this movie. I couldn't wait to watch Kennedy watch the movie. See her laugh when something funny happened. See her talk to me and Bethany in her language about what was going on. See her point out all the doggies to us. See her dance on her chair whenever music was played. I can be honest and say that I was more excited about this moving coming out than any other in recent memory. Simply because I knew my child would find Joy in it, and I would find Joy in her Joy.

As a father, your whole goal in raising your child becomes about giving them joy in their life. Not happiness, not comfort, but joy. Sometimes that is taking them to a movie, sometimes it's buying them a toy, usually it's just sitting with them on the floor and playing. But, it's more than that. Sometimes the path to joy is through discipline. When my child is misbehaving or doing something dangerous for them, their best course to joy is through a spanking or discipline. Sometimes, not giving her what she wants and not doing what she wants is what is necessary. Sometimes doing what she hates and doing what causes her temporary pain is what is necessary. Because I am not only seeking her happiness. I am not only seeking her comfort. Although those things are good and necessary, I am seeking her joy in life. I think as a Father, you truly start to understand in some small way how God feels towards us. For just as I am seeking Kennedy's joy, God is seeking mine. So although he has blessed me greatly in many ways, there are times that are tough in my life. There are times when things don't work how I want them. There are times when I can't have what I want. There are times when I hurt and I sorrow and I get angry and life and even God. I can take comfort in knowing that he is after my joy. That these and times where I struggle are for my joy in the long run. As he is teaching me life is not about stuff and things. Life is not about a job or money. Because all those things will pass. Life is about joy. It's about finding yourself in God. It's about trusting and hoping in Him. Knowing He will not fail you. Knowing even if he takes things and people away from your life, his goal is not your pain, but your joy. Just as Kennedy presses into me or Bethany when she is in pain, even if we caused it in some way. We too should press into God in our pain and our suffering and pray that he would see us through. And, trust and know that He will.

By the way, she loved the movie and had a blast, and the movie was actually really entertaining!