Based on the title of this article, you might think I am going to say something about the movie Aladdin and the popular song from that emerged from it, but I am not. Instead, I am talking about the whole new world Courtney and I are about to enter: parenthood. In many ways, I feel like I should be the most prepared parent of all time. My vocation is framed around working with teenagers and their families. I get to join them as they navigate some of the most tumultuous times of their lives. I have the privilege of observing our students as they encounter the awkwardness of middle school; figure out the complexities of the high school social scene; discover the perils of learning how to drive a vehicle; learn the boundaries of social media; balance the time between school, church, and extracurricular activities; and prepare for life after high school through ACT and SAT preparation. Additionally, I get to hear both sides of the story as our students and parents lament how ridiculous the other one is being in various moments of crisis. Couple this with the fact that I love these students and their families as much I love my own family, and you would think I should have this whole parenting thing figured out.
But I do not.
In fact, I am scared to death. Courtney and I talk about it a lot. What kind of world are we bringing our child into? Are we as prepared as we need to be? Have we thought through our finances and what the future might hold? What kind of parents will we be? There are so many questions that I know cannot be answered right now, but they persist. The reality is I do not believe you are ever fully ready to be a parent. There is almost always something you could do to be more prepared and equipped. Yet, the beauty of becoming a parent is we do not walk this journey alone. We have family, friends, and colleagues who love us and offer us the support and encouragement we need to begin this adventure together. We know we are not alone, and that truth gives us hope amidst the unknown future.
The same is true of our journey of faith. Most of us can point to a moment in time when our faith journey began, but I also imagine there are moments of recommitment or reawakening along the way. In the realm of spiritual formation – like parenthood – we are never finished products. We are students and practitioners of God’s grace who are always learning, growing, and becoming who God is calling us to be. So, as we continue in 2018, there are many opportunities to encounter a whole new world of faith formation together. And I invite you, despite what doubts, questions, or fears you may have, to take a leap of faith and see where the journey leads us.
