Featured Father Friday: Jared

Each week we feature a new dad from our community, in a segment called #FeaturedFatherFriday

Tell us about yourself

My name is Jared Meade. I have a son who will be 2-years-old in May. I live right outside Toledo, Ohio and I am the manager of public and media relations at Owens Community College. I am also a minister and I run my own public relations firm on the side. 

What is your most memorable #DadTired Moment

There have been so many moments and it's hard to choose just one. But one that comes to mind is, about a year ago I was helping set up for a couples event at our church. I sitting off to the side of the room, taking a break when my son crawled up and wrapped his arms around my leg and just stared at me. At that moment I had an overwhelming sense of my responsibility to him. God really stuck my heart with the fact that my son would always be looking up to me and learning how to be a man through my actions. I wanted to remember that moment and so I snapped a quick picture and it's become one of my favorites.

Best parenting advice you've ever received?

I think the best parenting advice I ever received was, enjoy every moment. It's simple and to some, it may not be very profound but in this fast-paced world we live in it can be a difficult thing to do. It seems as if my son changes more and more every day and I don't want to get so busy that I miss out on watching his personality develop. It all happens so fast and before I know it, he'll be a grown man. I want to make the time we have together special.

What area of your life do you want to be more like Jesus? 

I'm a worrier. It can be a blessing because it means I plan for every outcome but it can also be a hindrance as I tend to get stressed and frustrated too easily. I strive to have that peace and calm as Jesus did. No matter the situation that Jesus found himself in, there was always peace. As I lead my family from day-to-day, I want to have that same peace and calm about every situation. 

​How do you plan on getting there?

I plan on getting there with a lot of prayer and meditation. Jesus was able to have the inner peace that he had because he had truly learned to trust in God. 1 Peter 5:7 says, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."  God wants to take and carry our burdens for us. But many times we try and figure things out on our own and though it's hard to admit, we do it because we do not fully trust God to care for us. I believe the stronger your personal relationship with Christ, the more you will learn to trust in him.

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