Our First Child

Read Time - 2 Minutes

I could not breathe; panic had overtaken me.  As I stood in front of the mirror in the men’s room, splashing cold water on my face, taking slow, deep breaths, and offering up quick one-line prayers, I tried to compose myself.  My pregnant wife’s water had broken five weeks prematurely and we were at the local medical clinic getting ready to medically transport her to the large regional hospital.  This was our first child, and all the emotions of becoming a father – and unexpectedly early – swept over me. 

As I finally exited the men’s room to rejoin my wife, I said to myself “I can do this!” because I knew I was not in this alone.  Scripture speaks of God’s marvelous role in creating life: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:14).   I was reassured that my soon-to-be-born daughter was made by the Lord and was part of His plan: “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16). 

My premature daughter spent five weeks in the hospital after her birth, and we spent every day, all day, at the hospital nurturing her and looking forward to the day we could bring her home.  That day finally arrived – a day I distinctly remember – and we came home as a family. 

From the day we brought her home, I began investing financially towards the day she would go to college, get married, and have children.  I praise God for my daughter, but I also want to praise God with my investments.  I want my investments to be a blessing to the world, just as God blessed me with a daughter!  My daughter is now a mother of three – my three grandchildren – so the blessings just keep coming!

Doug Hanson, MBA

Wealth Advisor