I have been very excited about the prospects of teaching my son what he needs to know about life and God and everything. Training him up in the way he should go and all that. I was unprepared for how much he was going to teach me.
Yesterday, I had morning kid duty to let the Regina sleep in a little. When Regis woke up I welcomed his little 4 month old self to a new day and smiled and made several of his favorite little noises. I love the bond that is developing between the boy and me. He hears my voice and smiles and laughs. He sees my face and diverts attention from everyone else (even his own mother!) to smile at me. But, he changes so quickly. I try to spend some time devoted exclusively to him everyday - so that our relationship is strong, so that he will trust my words when he is older, so that he will always know that he can come to me for safety, shelter, help, and love.
Anyway, I took him over to the rocking chair and turned on the small Tiffany lamp we have there. I proceeded to bounce, sing, and play with the boy - but he was more interested in the bauble with the colored lights than with dear old Dad. I knew that this would be the only good time we had to spend together that day, so I turned off the light so as to get his attention focused on our time together.
As I did so, he turned around in confusion. "Why did that light go off?" his expression seemed to say. Then his gaze fell upon me and he smiled and we played together and it was good.
At the risk of being too sappy....I thought how God reacts as our Heavenly Father sometimes. I think of all the times I have been focused on some pretty bauble - electronics, increased social circle, sex, career achievement, whatever - to a degree that my priorities were skewed. I think of how mad I was when these things were taken away or became unachievable. I think of how mad I was at God that I could not live the life I wanted to live. Then I think of how important and special it was for me to spend time with my little boy. For my own enjoyment, yes, but more so for the benefits to him and his future. I think of how I turned off the light so that he would focus on me.
I am glad and humbled that God cares enough for me to turn off the light of my baubles every now and again - so that I can refocus on the privilege and pleasure of knowing and being in a right relationship with him. Praise be to God Almighty, our Father in Heaven. Amen.
Very nice analogy B. Life in the family unit is quite the learning labratory is it not? Treasure those momments with the little guy. He'll teach you a few more things before it's over.
Glad to see you are back at the blog...I thought we lost you for a while there.
Posted by: j cyrus at May 13, 2004 03:34 PMGlad to be back. I was in a blogoma there for awhile (blog coma).
Posted by: Blandus at May 14, 2004 01:09 PMI believe a reading of Psalm chapter 127 is definately appropriate for you in this situation of praise, joy, and hard work. just a bit of encouragement from a brother in Christ.
Posted by: Matthew at May 17, 2004 08:22 PMPsalm 127 A Song of Ascents, of Solomon.
Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.
3 Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth.
5 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies in the gate.
Amen. Thanks Matthew.
Posted by: Blandus at May 19, 2004 01:45 PM