Hello reader, and welcome to day four of Story Warren’s Andrew Peterson Appreciation Week. If you’ve somehow found yourself here and you’re wondering “Who the heck is Andrew Peterson, and what’s the big deal?” Then today is your lucky day. Andrew Peterson is one of the creative treasures of our generation, and he has just released his 12th full length CD “Light for the Lost Boy.” Lest you expect that an artist with a dozen recordings is surely past his creative prime, please check out this spot-on review which affirms that the 38 year old Centricity Music recording artist is at the hight of his powers.
But before I get too far, I should disclose that though Andrew Peterson’s music is perpetually showered with praise from critics as well as his devoted fan base, he is also one of my dearest friends. He and his wife, Jamie have two sons that are incredibly loving and patient with my (younger) two sons, and they have a daughter that my daughter absolutely adores. And since here at Story Warren, I often write about parenting, I thought for AP appreciation week I’d share five things I have learned from Andrew Peterson, awesome dad.
Five Things I Have Learned From Andrew Peterson, Awesome Dad.
1. Never make light of your kids feelings. Whether about the baseball game or the cute girl down the street, their feelings are just as real as ours, and should be taken seriously. When we mock or make light of our children’s feelings, they learn to second guess themselves and to hide how they really feel. Not the lessons I want to teach.
2. Your vision for your child may not be God’s vision for them. Whenever you catch yourself wishing your kid was different in some way, let that be a reminder to you that you don’t see what God sees. If you could see what he sees, you wouldn’t change your kid for all the pearls in the ocean.
3. Your children are not made of porcelain. Sure, they may knock out their front teeth after tripping down the sidewalk, but if you let them run and play with abandon, soon they will not be afraid of bees. They will be brave. They will not be afraid to lead.
4. Be a kid with your kid. Andrew is GREAT at this. If connecting with your children doesn’t come natural to you, invest in some gross false teeth and break them out at bedtime. If you can swing a redneck accent, all the better.
5. Double dipping does not transfer germs. It’s still disgusting, but technically I “learned” this from AP. If you ever have him over for chips and dip, be forewarned.
Do yourself a favor and buy Andrew Peterson’s new CD Light for the Lost Boy at the Rabbit Room Store. And while you’re there, you might as well get Counting Stars – his previous CD. It is also amazing.
- The Well-Hidden Wisdom of Children - February 3, 2020
- We Are God’s Masterpiece: A Brand New Slugs & Bugs (Sing The Bible) Song! - July 17, 2015
- Cellphone Jones: A New (Unreleased) Slugs & Bugs Song! - April 10, 2015
Thanks, Randall! A nice giggle for the morning. I’m curious about evidence to back up the double dipping theory…are we talking empirical studies or controlled comparison groups? : )
A Mythbusters episode, actually. Still, not going to partake.
And while you’re getting Light for the Lost Boy and Counting Stars, save yourself some time and go ahead and purchase the ten other full length albums. 😀 #seriously
It’s really true.
Awesome idea for an article. And really good lessons! I think I need to re-visit and re-absorb most of them.
(Not sure #5 applies to the way my 4 yr old double-dips/stirs/splatters, however… )
Thanks, Randall. And Andrew.
Thanks for sharing, Randall! Good reminders! I really need to consider #1 and #2 as our kids grow… but with 3 boys I hope we learned #3 a long time ago!
I still remember attending a New City Cafe concert back in the day where Andrew Peterson talked about hearing this CD by some guy named Randall in the restroom of that very same Knoxville venue. I guess he called you or something after that because he was so impressed? …and the rest is history?! So blessed by both of you talented folk!