Recently our 9 year old son has had an increased awareness of Afghanistan and all things related to war.
Soldiers
Weapons
battles
everything
right down to bathrooms out in the desert.
A calling is being showered over his life.
From the moment we knew of our first child I was determined to foster their goals.
I placed my trust in God and what He wants for my kids and I strive to not get in the way
too often.
There are the obvious things my kids will not get a green light to do
Sex, drugs and drinking
But, many other things are up for discussion
You want green hair? Fine.
You don't want to be a Pastor like your dad? That is alright too.
Missionary? Great.
Julia's first dream was to own a
DQ and cut hair.
Then she wanted to be a marine biologist.
Did I say "That is impossible ....you live in MN." No, I did not.
Julia now wants to move to France for a time and wear a cape.
I think this may actually really happen.
A Soldier?
This is different. This wanting and yearning to be a Solider has kind of thrown me for a loop.
I didn't imagine this one coming.
So, how do you prepare your son to be a Soldier?
I have watched myself carefully over the past few days. I proceed with caution when I am about to speak. I am watching God at work in my son. Solider or not. Daily I have seen the ways in which we can prepare or children or deter our children.
To prepare my soldier
I watch him build.......a few Lego's at a time
brick upon brick his dreams become realities
more intricate
useful
purposeful
And although sometimes I wish he didn't.....................I do not stop him from his church bulletin doodles during worship.
I admire how his pride transcends the obvious and shows itself in even his recreation.
It shouldn't surprise me.......
But it does every time............ I watch him push his fears aside to step forward to do something out of character for him like he did on Saturday when he asked a "Real Marine" if he could try out
Right here.
Right now.
Javier spent the day with my dad. The two of them are like minded in anything that deals with fishing, hunting, gutting, stinky, dirty.............man things.
This picture gets to me.
It is my boy among the men.
David who is not afraid to fight Goliath
Imagine that small voice speaking in 1 Samuel..
“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty."
That is pure faith.
How do I prepare my Soldier.
My Solider may never see the sand of Afghanistan
He may never cross an Ocean
Regardless of whether my son acquires dog tags, M.D. behind his name, or a socket wrench as a tool for his trade he needs to be prepared.
But how?
I think to prepare a Soldier
the key is to prepare
His mothers heart.
God's got him covered.
I need to foster his freedom
to dream
to pursue
and yet
have courage to muddle through the uncertainties when life throws him a fast pitch
when his dreams have added dimensions
or
turn out differently than expected.
It will be OK
because his mom has constantly been preparing her heart
to let him go
to let God be the voice he listens to first
to cheer him on
to pick him up
Someday these dog tags may only say Soldier
Or not.
If they don't
I will not be because I stood in His way.
I will dedicate myself to preparing my Soldier for whatever battles and victories come his way.
