Faithful | Father

My son is teaching me lessons in this crazy thing called life, AND he’s only 9 months old…

It seemed as if my goals and aspirations were constantly adjusting…shifting…changing

Understandable for a guy in my season of life.

A question I often pondered growing up was, “What am I going to be remembered for?”

Will it be music?

Will it be marketing?

Will it be a success?

Will it be a mistake?

July 14th, 2022 changed everything. I finally had the answer. My wife and I welcomed our firstborn son into the world, Shepherd Thomas McCanless.

Immediately I knew what I wanted the answer to that age-old question to be.

FAITHFULNESS.

Faithfulness can be defined in many ways:

steadfast in affection or allegiance;

loyal

a faithful friend.

firm in adherence to promises or in observance of duty

Nothing puts your priorities in order quicker than having a kid.

Shepherd has taught me profound lessons about faithfulness that have transformed my perspective. Yes, I am aware he’s only 9 months old… but I think there’s something to this idea of “childlike faith.”

Shep has this unwavering faith in me as his father, and it’s caused me to be more introspective and see the similarities in my relationship with the Lord.

One of the first lessons Shepherd taught me is about trust. It’s been as simple as watching him fearlessly place his complete trust in me, knowing that I will catch him when he falls. It's almost as if he’s reminding me of the trust I can have in God, who is always there to catch me and hold me up. Shepherd's dependence on me for his needs has also highlighted the importance of trust in my relationship with God. If my son can trust me, who is bound to make mistakes, how much more should I be able to trust God, my Heavenly Father, with every aspect of my life knowing He has never made a mistake?

Shep's happiness has also been a profound lesson for me. It's not dependent on my occupation, my financial situation, my possessions, or how big of a house I own. He seems to be most happy when I am present, and it's a reminder that true joy and contentment come from meaningful connections and relationships, rather than external factors.

Sidenote: I’m still learning this one… but That email can wait. That text can wait. Scrolling meaninglessly through my Instagram feed will never be more important than quality time with Shep. I’ve never heard someone look back on life and wish that they would have spent more time replying to emails after hours or closing more deals… it’s always that they would have spent more time with the people they love.

I don’t want to look back in regret. I want to look back with gratitude.

Shep has taught me about the faithfulness of God. Through his innocent and pure perspective, I've gained a deeper understanding of God's unwavering faithfulness toward us, despite our imperfections. I finally understand that NOTHING Shep could ever do would cause me to have less love for him. Of course, I want all the best things for my son and I want him to make good choices… but more importantly, I want him to be a good man. It’s not about behavior modification and it never will be.

It's a reminder of the unconditional love and grace that God extends to us, and it encourages me to reciprocate that faithfulness in my relationship with Him. I want Shep to understand that his dad takes God at His Word and he can too.

Louie Giglio, one of my favorite pastors once said, "I want to preach, die, and be forgotten." This statement made me realize that while worldly achievements and recognition may hold temporary significance, a life of faithfulness is what truly matters.

It's not just about what I do,

but about who I am.

Now I know that at the end of my life, I hope the thing that can be said about me is my faithfulness in all aspects of life.

Faithful in my marriage with Aspyn Lee

Faithful as a father

Faithful as a speaker

Faithful as a leader

Faithful as a visionary

Faithful as a marketer

Faithful as a friend,

and most importantly, FAITHFUL as a follower of Jesus Christ.

So, let this be the first of many lessons that my son will teach me over time. What a blessing.

Shep, If you’re reading this one day, I’m thankful for you bub, and I couldn’t be any more proud of who you are. I love you.

You are so loved! Until next time,

-LM