Things I Learned About God from My Son Jacob

My son Jacob Mark was less than 4 days old when he did something that convinced me that he was the best messenger God has sent to me. It was through him that I first saw the parallels of how God views us. I've never been a father before, but I can already start to see that Jacob's life to me is a microcosm of our lives to God.

There I was, doing the only thing I could with Jake ... staring at him. He had been home less than 96 hours and I had laid him on the ground while his gorgeous mommy was in the other room. It was the first time we'd really had some father-son time. I felt gushing pride and unconditional love, obviously, but when I learned my first God lesson, I didn't have any real thought process. I was just blankly staring. I didn't have any real emotion at that point.

Jake was doing his cute baby stares. His eyes were still adjusting to this world, so he'd look at me, and then I'd move, and then it would take him a couple of seconds to find where I had gone (which was about a foot to the side). My lesson came when he turned and met my gaze. He and I were firmly staring into each other's eyes.

It ... was ... weightless.

There was no sound. No crying, no car horns, no chaos, no corruption. It was just Jacob and I. I didn't know how much time passed, but that's the point. There was no sense of time or trial as I saw my son's eyes for the first time. Time stood still, and trials were non-existent. It was an amazing moment, and even though I'm writing about it, no words can describe it.

Before anyone gets any ideas, I'm not putting myself in the role of God. I could never do that. This is about how a father sees his children. When God looks at us ... when we truly filter out the noise, chaos and corruption in our lives and make a connection with God by just taking the time to look, time stands still and there is undeniable peace. Nothing in this world can overcome that moment. And God is even more enamored with us than we are with Him. In Heaven, there is no time. God just stands in wonderment of His children, and there is infinite tranquility.

That moment with Jake only happened that one time, but I'll remember it until God does the same thing to me in a few decades or so (God willing). We'll all get to see God sooner or later, so don't get discouraged when life overwhelms you. Eventually, it will just be you and God. And THAT will be worth so much more than whatever trials life can throw at you. Look for those little moments where you can learn about God. When you do, time stands still.