Our 608th Dad in the Limelight is Michael Smith. I want to thank Michael Smith for being a part of this series. It has been great getting connected with him and now sharing Michael Smith with all of you.
1) Tell me about yourself, (as well as how you are in the limelight for my readers knowledge)
My name is Michael Smith. I’m 38 years old and I have been living in Jacksonville, Fla., since May 2014. I came to Jacksonville to begin a job as Associate Editor of the Florida Baptist Witness, the official news source of the Florida Baptist State Convention (goFBW.com).
2) Tell me about your family
My wife and I have been married 11 years. She is a stay-at-home mom who home-schools our two children, a 7-year-old boy and a 3-year-old girl. We also have two pet “kids”: a 15-year-old cat and a 13-year-old dog (a pug). My wife and I feel called by God to expand our family through foster care and/or adoption. To learn more about our journey visit, www.facebook.com/
3) What has been the largest challenge you have had in being a father?
The biggest challenge I’ve faced as a father is being away from my family because I was working in a different city from where they were living. In January 2014, I was laid off from my job at a newspaper in Tampa, Fla. Two months later, I took a job in Birmingham, Ala., and my family and I were not permanently reunited until the very end of 2014. This separation caused me to really value the time I get to spend with my family.
4) What advice would you give to other fathers?
I believe that it is important for fathers to lead by example and “live out” the values you want to instill in your kids. Your walk must match your talk.
5) How have you come to balance parenthood and outside life?
I try to maintain balance in my life by setting my priorities and sticking to them (in order): God, family, everything else. I also try not to overcommit myself, which is hard for me.
6) What have you learned from the fathers that you have interacted with?
I’ve learned that we all have struggles and don’t have everything “figured out”—and that’s OK. I’m so appreciative of the fathers, including my own, who have taken the time to invest in me and I want to do the same for other fathers.
7) What else would you share regarding your experiences as a father thus far?
Don’t neglect quality one-on-one time with your wife. Make time for “date nights.” Tell your wife and kids you love them as much as you can. Offer them encouraging words that build them up and don’t tear them down.
8) What have been the most memorable experiences that you have had thus far as a parent?
The birth of my two children. Neither birth experience went as my wife and I envisioned, but looking back on them we see it was part of God’s perfect plan for our lives.
If you have any questions for Michael Smith, please leave a comment here and I will make sure that he gets them so that he may be able to respond!
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