Mr. Dad
Comments(4)Well, this post is long overdue: as of May 31st your’s truly became a dad. I can’t tell you just how incredible it is to look at my daughter. The whole experience is amazing. I actually got to watch the birth. Christa had a C-Section (I watched the whole thing - really cool!) Madelyn Elizabeth Waugh was born at 8 pounds, 14 ounces, and 21 inches long. Christa was a little nervous about the surgery (who wouldn’t be) but she had a great doctor. That’s him in the scrubs: Hahah - just kiddin’. 
Maddy is just beautiful, not to mention disarmingly cute. I know the guys will think she’s a looker - guess that means I’ll have to get my baseball bats ready (a 12 gauge wouldn’t be a bad idea either).
The coolest thing about being a dad (so far) is just being able to spend time with your little one. I love her so much already. I pray that God blesses her greatly and keeps her, that His face will shine upon her and give her peace. Daddy loves you sweetie,
A Departure from the Subjective
C.S. Lewis knew the key to the enjoyment of anything was to forget yourself - even if it’s just for a moment - and to take it all in. I just found out that my first child will be here soon; she’ll most likely make her appearance on Saturday as the doctor has planned to induce Christa if she doesn’t go into labor before then. I want to resist the temptation to describe the experience of watching my child come into the world through a strictly subjective lense. I know most of us think this is impossible. Some might even ask why I would want to describe it any other way. But Lewis’s assertion is almost axiomatic: the more I forget myself, the more I will enjoy the experience.
And frankly I can’t think of better time to loose the subjective, self-centered inclination to describe things as if I was at the center of it all. The experience of the sublime - the glorious lapse into unbridled worship of the Lord - is what I need now. I can think of no better time to grow a chest, Mr. Lewis. I can’t go into that labor room without one.
What is a Perfect Society?
Is a perfect society always a free one? Is it characterized by peace? You can have peace without freedom. But you can also have freedom without peace. I’ve been reading Plato’s Republic and I have to say, he’s got some pretty challenging ideas about society. Here are some of the things that have struck my so far:
Plato believed in censorship. Since young minds are very impressionable he wanted any readings or writings of the poets banned (Homer specifically). He thought such writings would corrupt the youth. They contained too much passion and irrationality.
He believed that justice was the harmonious division of labor. Each class should know it’s place and execute their role to the best of their ability.
The ruling class (or philosopher-ruler) would live according to proto-communist ideals. The rulers of the state would own no private property and hold all things in common.
Interesting stuff. My thoughts on these things in a future post.
What Many of Us Already Know
I read an excellent article on Slate today about the commercialization of Christianity in the United States. In many ways this article tells us what we already know: the Christian version, or rather imitation, of pop culture is childish, disingenuous, and just plain bad.
You can read the article here:
