I went out to gather the boys for dinner. Five families with abundant blessings gathered to break bread together in modest square footage drives children to the open outdoor spaces and we always end up with a field of sweet boys. There were a total of five of them scattered in the fields, each on their own mission.
The socialite was talking to the neighbors in their backyards. The evening breeze carried his tiny voice down
wind and I could hear him asking. “How are
you?” “What are you doing?” “Is that your mom?”
He wants to know them. And I whispered it right there.
Sweet boy, don’t run
from your compassion but always stand this bold in it for Christ. Always want to know them because knowing them
is the same as loving Jesus, loving like Jesus.
Love Him and care for His sheep.
The oldest was furthest away and off the beaten path.
A path I know all too well. As we age we tend to
wander in our growing courage, our maturing strength – sometimes into the bushes. Not that this particular boy is a
wanderer but it made me think of the days when I found freedom and used it so
unwisely. I whispered it right
there.
Don’t be anything like
me. Be stronger than that, wiser. God’s got great things for you. I know this because He really has this for
all of us. Great things. We just need to choose Him. Choose Him, sweet boy, daily.
The three remaining boys were strewn along the middle of the
path, each squatting near their very own discoveries. Sticks in hand, poking and prodding. Fingers in the dirt. Because sometimes you have to get dirty to
find the real Truth. They eventually
migrated towards each other. They wanted
to share. Because if we learn and never
share, no glory can come to the only One worthy of it. And I whispered it right there.
Never stop looking for
Him, sweet boys. Study His truth and spread
it like wildfire. Share it with all you
meet. Carry His grace with courage and
love to this broken world, setting the captives free and glorifying the One who
sent you. And don’t be afraid if you get dirty because you already stand clean.
Whiter than snow, actually.
And as I turned to walk back, I whispered it right there for all
us mamas too.
Lord, may we become
less so you become all. May we have
courage to let go of our dreams and take hold of Your plans for these
sweet boys, for all of our children. Help each of us see them like
you see them. Help us guide them, train
them, disciple them for Your Kingdom. Show us how to lead
them. Give us the strength and wisdom to water them in this season and find joy in these trenches. Come, Holy Spirit, come.
And as I peeked over my shoulder to see if any heeded the
call to dinner, I noticed the quietest of them all boldly following behind me. And I prayed right there, whispered it
straight to heaven.
Lord, let this moment be
a constant reminder that I never know when they will choose to follow, so may I
always be running straight to You.
Amen.
