Dreams

Have you ever had a dream that was so real that it lingers for awhile?  I have had a few, but two of the worst dreams I've had involved someone I love dearly dying.  Last night I had one of those dreams.  I don't remember the details clearly, but our oldest died and I was so overcome with grief that I woke up crying, my chest hurting so badly, it was as though my heart was breaking into a million pieces. 

After, I laid there praying.  Praying I never have to experience the loss of my child and feel the grief and sorrow that comes with that.  I don't know why I dreamt this, but that maybe someday I will have the opportunity to minister to someone in that spot.  Maybe it's so I will hold on to my boys when they love on me. 

There is a country song that talks about the different stages of life.  We are so badly yearning for the next phase, not taking the time to stop and really enjoy the moment we are in.  Have you heard this song?   Each time I hear it, I'm reminded to stop and just enjoy where I'm at.  For each phase of life goes by so quickly.  And LIFE gets in the way.  It's easy to just trudge through and not enjoy the tender moments that life is REALLY about.

My kids are growing up so fast.  We have an almost 14 year old, soon to be Freshman in High School.  He's becoming a man.  But even in that, when I tuck him in each night he clings to me.  Won't let me go.  Hold my hand (of course when no one is looking).   He still wants to cuddle with me.  I'm savoring each moment I have with him and my other two as well. 

This is him sitting between my legs on
the couch.  Something he does often.

I think that dream last night, renewed my love for my boys.  First thing I did this morning was gather them into my arms and tell them how much I loved them and how proud of them I am.  I don't feel that I can tell them enough. 

Thank you Lord for three of the greatest gifts you could have given me.  Help me to cherish my moments with them, good or bad, for soon they will be gone.  Help me to live in the moment and not look toward the future.  For now is where I need to be.  --- Amen.

Boys Only!

There is an official Club now in our neighborhood. 

One that consists of these boys.

David, Connor and our neighbor, Thomas had their priorities straight.  After gathering their necessary supplies (aka: rope, plastic jar, pen, notebook and Bible) they begun their first official meeting by reading The Ten Commandments to get a basis for the rules of their Club.  As a parent working in the garage from a distance, it was pretty cool to hear them reading the Bible together.  They then proceeded to write the rest of their rules.  I have a feeling that many meetings will be going on up in this tree.

Raising Men

Yesterday, Martin Luther King, Jr Day, I had been thinking a lot about what we are teaching our kids.  Are we teaching them to respect others for who those others are?  Are we teaching them to discriminate against certain colors, nationalities, beliefs.  It's a hard job that we as Christian parents (or just parents in general) have when teaching our children.

Our Country gives us the freedom to fight for our beliefs.  We earned that freedom from the many lives that have been shed for us.  But what has that freedom really given us?  We still fight amongst ourselves about those freedoms.  Our forefathers worked so hard to make sure everyone was equal regardless of race, nationality, belief, or sex.  Where has the respect gone that is due each person?  Where is the respect that is due to ourselves?  Do we respect ourselves enough to look past all the differences? 

God commands us to love each other regardless of our differences.  He says every man and woman is created equal in His image.  Why can't we seem to look past it?  Jesus fellowshiped with prostitutes, lepers, government officials, poor, rich, you name it.  He didn't discriminate, but was discriminated himself because of who he chose to be seen with, or who he talked to, or allowed to touch him. 

Honestly, if Christ didn't care why do we?  Aren't we called to forsake ourselves for the Kingdom?  So if that is our calling, why do we care what color someone is?  Or where they are from?  What others may think of us? 

I want to raise my boys to be MEN who are undiscriminating.  Who don't see color or social status.  I want to raise MEN who follow in our Lord's footsteps and witness to those who are less fortunate than themselves.  Who share Christ and His Salvation to those who believe otherwise.  Who respect others even when it's difficult. 

I want to raise MEN who are proud to fight for what is right regardless of how others will view them.  Whether it be for Christ or our Country.  And to ALL our men and women who have served or are serving our Country...these great kids salute you!

Training to be a Man

Our boys are growing up.  Lately it seems like it's happening faster than I'd like.  And with this growing up, all three of them have become extremely interested in shaving.  Now keep in mind they are only children, mere boys.  Ages 11, 9, and 5.  How is it that this is happening already?  I guess I was hounding my Mom to let me shave in 4th grade because a couple of my friends were.  Well that and I had extremely hairy legs.  Kind of embarrassing.  Of course she didn't give in until I think 6th grade and even then I had to use Nair.

Back to the boys.  They have gone so far as to one of them (who will remain nameless) actually tried to shave with one of the REAL razors in our shower.  That was until he cut his lip and was freaked out that we would kill him because he knew he wasn't supposed to be doing that.  Anyway,  for Christmas, I fed their desire and bought them each a FAKE shaving kit.  Nicholas was so excited to use it.  As soon as we were finished opening presents Joel took him in to teach him how to shave.  It was so cute to watch.  He took it very seriously...see for yourself.