Since becoming a father, I’ve been reflecting a lot on my own childhood and on my dad—what he gave me, what I’ve learned from him, and the ways I’m trying to carve out my own path as a father. Growing up, my dad was steady, always working hard, always serving our family without complaint. He … Continue reading The Perfect Father
Author: Peter Westerman
Impermanence
There’s an odd sense of time that settles in when you watch your child grow. Each day feels full—so much happens in the smallest moments—but at the same time, it all slips away before I can grasp it. I see it when my son, once so tiny and still, now reaches for toys, his eyes … Continue reading Impermanence
Cereal Lessons
Cooking breakfast for my wife used to be one of those small rituals that anchored our mornings together. Whether it was blueberry pancakes, avocado toast, or hash browns, each dish felt like a simple but meaningful way to start the day. There’s something about breakfast that sets the tone—dinner is what we look forward to … Continue reading Cereal Lessons
Why Do I Write?
There’s something powerful about seeing thoughts transformed into words on a page, like turning chaos into clarity. Writing slows everything down, giving me space to reflect and really think. I’ve realized over time that writing is more than just a hobby—it’s become the way I process life. Each sentence helps me make sense of the … Continue reading Why Do I Write?
The Quiet Growth of Our Little Lion
As I write this, Judah is fast asleep, his chest rising and falling with the serene rhythm that only babies possess. It’s in these quiet moments of pause that I find the space to reflect on the time past since he entered our lives—a period marked as much by his growth as by the deepening … Continue reading The Quiet Growth of Our Little Lion
A Lion in the Living Room
Imagine for a moment that you’ve invited a lion into your living room. Not a house cat, but a full-grown, wild lion. Instantly, everything changes—the air feels charged with power, and you realize nothing in your life will remain the same. This is what it’s like when Jesus comes into your life. He’s not a … Continue reading A Lion in the Living Room
Passing Down Tools
As I crouch down, working to fix my son’s stroller, I can’t help but think back to all the times I watched my dad and grandfather tinker with their own tools. They were fixers, always working on something, and they made sure I learned to appreciate the value of doing things myself. A loose screw … Continue reading Passing Down Tools
Unspoken Lessons
There’s a lot that comes with fatherhood that you can prepare for. You know there’ll be late nights, diaper changes, and plenty of learning as you go. But it’s the things no one really talks about that end up shaping you most. Take a simple, quiet afternoon on the couch. There’s a lot unsaid here. … Continue reading Unspoken Lessons
Between Seasons
A month ago, we wrapped up another summer season at camp. The final days were filled with the usual goodbyes, last-minute packing, and the bittersweet moment of driving down that familiar road one last time. It’s a transition I’ve grown used to over the years, but nothing could have prepared me for the feeling of … Continue reading Between Seasons
Living in the Tension of Grace and Grit
Titus 3:4-7 (NIV) “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our … Continue reading Living in the Tension of Grace and Grit