Ragamuffin Soul - Latest Comments in Ragamuffin Soul » So I’m A Dad // And It Breaks My Heart

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » So I’m A Dad // And It Breaks My Heart

jesse — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:43:16 -0000

I understand you brother, I can't wait to have kids when the time is right.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » So I’m A Dad // And It Breaks My Heart

Neil Cowley — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:59:20 -0000

This is the reason I read...
...and maybe the reason Christ taught by story....

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » So I’m A Dad // And It Breaks My Heart

Doug — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:23:26 -0000

Preachin' to the choir bro. My kids break me daily.

Thank God.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » So I’m A Dad // And It Breaks My Heart

Debbie — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:07:21 -0000

Precious girl! Thanks for sharing! I can so understand what you are describing. My daughter has Type 1 Diabetes and this year a knee issue and yet she smiles and is happy and confident and faithful. It brings me to tears-not her.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » So I’m A Dad // And It Breaks My Heart

Diana — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:22:05 -0000

Okay those words made me tear up. Thank you for writing that. It takes a strong man and a wonderful father to put his heart out to the world like that. To open up about the most emotionally vulnerable topic, his children is just beautiful. Continue to write. Singletons can learn from it. A Fathers love, no a parents love is fierce, beautiful and ever growing.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » So I’m A Dad // And It Breaks My Heart

Rich — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:31:44 -0000

This is the first time I've stumbled across your blog...and the timing of finding this post about your little girl was great.

I, too, am the father of a little girl (and 2 little boys as well) that amazes me. Reading about the strength of your daughter made me reflect on my own.

You hit the nail on the head. Until you're a parent, there's no way you'll understand things like this. It reminds me of The Gospel.

The Bible says that it's message is foolishness to those who don't believe...but to those who believe, it is the Power of God. Being a parent is the same way. If you're not one...it just won't make sense. But once you have children of your own, it's immediately who you are...no explanation possible or necessary.

Thanks for a great post.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » So I’m A Dad // And It Breaks My Heart

Ruthie — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:44:21 -0000

I so understand!
My 10 year old daughter has had a long term bladder problem that is very embarrassing when it often happened in public. She was the same, always acting brave, most of the time acting like there never was a problem and us having to shield her from hurtful words of others.
When she turned 9 the problem started to go away. We had tried to gently talk to her about it in the past, and sometimes her hurt would show and she would say, "I don't want this problem mommy". Our hearts would break for her but medically the doctors said it was something she would need to out grow. I would have worn a bag the rest of my life if I thought she could not have had this problem for 10 years, seeing her hurting heart has killed me as a parent!
One day her eyes lit up when I told her how many days it had been since she had had an accident, she IMMEDIATELY said, maybe I can have someone spend the night now, maybe I can go on the fifth grade field trip now. She was so excited. I went in the other room and wept because I realized she was always thinking about it, even though she did not talk about it or complain.
My Candy has more courage than I. She is brave and beautiful. I am asking God to heal her heart and insecurities she has hidden so well.
Happily I can report she is almost 100% better. She has spent the night with friends and had a couple spend the night. I realize how it still holds her back at times, I think the fear. She is one brave little girl.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » So I’m A Dad // And It Breaks My Heart

Amy (Dandelion Seeds) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:24:20 -0000

I agree with Kat... nothing like parenting to truly refine you... when I begin to think it's me that's doing the teaching... I'm reminded that each one was sent to teach me as well (and obviously I have a lot to learn since there's so many teaching me!)

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » So I’m A Dad // And It Breaks My Heart

tattood1 — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:21:14 -0000

Yeah. Kids wreck you. It's amazing.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » So I’m A Dad // And It Breaks My Heart

Rhi — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:11:09 -0000

Carlos,
my friend. it is these posts that make your community so large and faithful. it's your heart that shares these things that make your friends love you (in spite of yourself) and it's this gift that helps you to truly be authentic and share Jesus' love with the world.

I was just telling my man the other day about how passionately you write sometimes. Remember, LONG, long time ago... I don't even think you and Heather were married yet, and you guys got into a car accident? You emailed those of us "few" sandals members and shared your heart about the whole event. it was SO powerful. i've never forgotten. i thought to myself back then that you truly loved her and it was so beautiful.
thank you for always being real and authentic...and not bending or changing to please the masses. miss you my friend. i'm hoping to be able to stop by and get a squeeze on 12/12 when i'm out there for a few hours...rhi

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » So I’m A Dad // And It Breaks My Heart

Lane Wood — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 22:18:22 -0000

You're right. I have no idea. But as a "singlet" who didn't click off, I hope I get it someday.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » So I’m A Dad // And It Breaks My Heart

sara — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 22:07:44 -0000

What a beautiful soul your daughter has. How lucky you are.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » So I’m A Dad // And It Breaks My Heart

Mochaprincessqt — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 22:04:31 -0000

Sniff...sniff. God Bless her big heart

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » So I’m A Dad // And It Breaks My Heart

hollybird — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:59:34 -0000

Our son has Tourette's Syndrome. He has had episodes of bizarre and loud noises from his mouth, crazy and uncontrollable movements and unexplained and unprovoked rages. He's a middle schooler, as if that weren't hard enough without something like TS to go along with it.
I have watched in awe as he holds his head high when people question him abotu why he does these strange things. I have heard him poke fun at himself at times. and I have listened as he pours his heart out to God begging for Him to heal him before he wakes up in the mornings.

I have grown because of him. I have learned what trust and faith are really all about because of him. I thought that I understood how God loved me before I was a mom, but I think I am only now seeing glimpses of the depth of what He feels for me.

thanks for this beautiful reminder tonight. Blessings on you and your family. and many praises for a healing!!

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » So I’m A Dad // And It Breaks My Heart

Rachel Norman — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:47:58 -0000

Parenting can be so discouraging and encouraging in the same breathe...but just know you are never alone and thank goodness our kids are so forgiving and just move along.
Thanks for a wonderful post

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » So I’m A Dad // And It Breaks My Heart

Jonathan — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:13:50 -0000

Oh my goodness dude. I almost cried when I read this. I can sympathize.

I am so madly in love with my children that I sometimes cry just thinking about them. It truly is a different kind of love that a person will never know until they are a parent.

Thanks for sharing. And most of all, for loving your child.

God bless.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » So I’m A Dad // And It Breaks My Heart

gbrad@mag — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:24:46 -0000

umm . . . dang . . . I just crush under the weight of the strength and resilience GOD give our children . . I pray GOD will crack the sky everyday just to relieve the pressure, since His word tells us what happens afterward . . . Parenting isn't for sissies Continue to pray to be at least as strong as our children

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » So I’m A Dad // And It Breaks My Heart

Fay — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:36:50 -0000

Lovely post. As someone who has/had father issues, stories like these mean so much....thanks for sharing. :)

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » So I’m A Dad // And It Breaks My Heart

Brandon — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:57:19 -0000

Awesome post - I know I'll appreciate these kinds of things even more when I'm a father. It's amazing how a father's love and affirmation can shape a girl's self-perception. Keep it up Los and you'll have a daughter someday with a healthy view of herself!

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » So I’m A Dad // And It Breaks My Heart

ScottyDub — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:53:05 -0000

Fatherhood and heartbreak, they go hand in hand, but it's a beautiful heartbreak. I think it must be close to what God feels about us.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » So I’m A Dad // And It Breaks My Heart

Lanna — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:46:41 -0000

It makes my heart proud to know that there are daddies that love their daughters as intensely as you do. I didn't (don't) know my earthly father but I know that heavenly father has my back and loves me even more intensely. It's just sometimes I wish I had an earthly father that I could know.

Thank for loving your kids w/ your whole heart!

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » So I’m A Dad // And It Breaks My Heart

Simone — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:44:28 -0000

I think the relationship you have with your children is amazing. What you and H have poured into their lives has already started being reflected back.

Moving to Chicago has made us realize how many children don't have actively involved, loving fathers in their lives - especially children of color. My husband gets stares when he is out with the kids and being the great dad he is. Several strangers have actually commented on how nice it is to see.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » So I’m A Dad // And It Breaks My Heart

Decibel — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:06:45 -0000

wonderful and amazing. . .the lessons we learn from the ones we hold so dear. . .

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » So I’m A Dad // And It Breaks My Heart

transitionpete — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:06:27 -0000

yeah... wusses r us... i was tearin' up feelin' a smidge of the pain you must feel. keep on lovin' on her and affirming her as the strong and beautiful child of the king that she is!

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » So I’m A Dad // And It Breaks My Heart

Abbi — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:04:52 -0000

What a post. What a girl. What a dad! Praise the Lord for both of you (and Heather, too!)

On a related note, I applaud you for wanting to avoid the steroids. I had HORRIBLE acne in college and did everything I could to avoid all the nasy meds that doctors wanted to put me on. Arbonne's acne line was what finally made my acne go away.

They also sell a baby lotion that is all-natural. A grown-man friend of mine used it on his eczema that he'd had for years and it went away completely without any side-effect. I can get you some samples, or I'm sure there are plenty of reps in the Atlanta area. You can even get a sort of "membership number" to get the products at a 35% discount. Check out their website or shoot me an email if you want some more info. I'm happy to help.