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Romance and Infancy

As many of you know, my wife and I are expecting our first child. Fortunately for me, my wife has plunged into the world of literature on the subject and is becoming acquainted with all manner of philosophy on child health and rearing. Since we recently finished The Man Who Was Thursday together, we tried our hand at book one of Augustine’s Confessions. Having read enough of it previously to know he talks about childhood and infancy, I was eager to read it with the wife. Here’s an excerpt we came across yesterday that, I think, will be prophetic for our youngster. 🙂

I began to smile; first in sleep, then waking: for so it was told me of myself, and I believed it; for we see the like in other infants, though of myself I remember it not. Thus, little by little, I became conscious where I was; and to have a wish to express my wishes to those who could content them, and I could not; for the wishes were within me, and they without; nor could they by any sense of theirs enter within my spirit. So I flung about at random limbs and voice, making the few signs I could, and such as I could, like, though in truth very little like, what I wished. And when I was not presently obeyed (my wishes being hurtful or unintelligible), then I was indignant with my elders for not submitting to me, with those owing me no service, for not serving me; and avenged myself on them by tears. Such have I learnt infants to be from observing them; and that I was myself such, they, all unconscious, have shown me better than my nurses who knew it.

 

Pretty Cool

Here.

And here.

 

Daily Dose of Chesterton

In Chesterton’s chapter on Mr. Berhnard Shaw in the work Heretics, he suggests what should be running through Shaw’s mind when he catches a sight of his own feet:

What are those two beautiful and industrious beings,” I can imagine him murmuring to himself, “whom I see everywhere, serving me I know not why? What fairy godmother bade them come trotting out of elfland when I was born? What god of the borderland, what barbaric god of legs, must I propitiate with fire and wine, lest they run away with me?”

 

Reflections

I have had the past couple of days to reflect upon what I learned from the retreat I spoke at this past weekend. Overall I enjoyed it a lot and am thankful for the opportunity God had given me. Here are some things that I’m learning, in no particular order.

1. Ungodly regret (2 Corinthians 7)

It is easy to sit back and dwell upon things I should have said or clarifications I should have provided. During this time I seem to become focused upon my words and how I could have done better. There is nothing wrong with evaluating and using it as a time for God to teach and mold you, but when the focus is on yourself and how you could improve to make yourself look better, then that is when your trust is resting in yourself. On Saturday evening this was the case, I cared more about how good of job I did, which resulted in disappointment and regret in the worldly sense. My pride was more important than the glory of God.