Growing Boys

Tonight Chad and I put the boys to bed, but they didn't go to sleep. Instead they stayed up being rowdy.

We heard them laughing and jumping from the living room. We told them at least five times to settle down and go to sleep.

Then it happened. The busted nose, the laughs turned to screaming and the blame and blood was flying.

First Sean said David punched him in the nose. David claimed Sean hit his nose on the back of his head.

Now, Daddy and I are both involved. I'm dealing with the nose bleed and Chad was trying to find out what really happened. We wanted the truth.

Neither boy would tell us the truth so they both got in trouble for rough housing instead of being asleep, for lying and bodily injury.

After spankings and time to think with ice packs in their room, we came in to have a talk.

Finally, Sean admitted to lying. David apologized for keeping Sean awake and busting his nose. Chad and I took turns expressing to the boys how important it is for them to obey us and tell the truth. "None of this would have happened if you had been doing what you were supposed to." (anyone heard that before?)

About midway through the discussion, Sean fell asleep with a bag of frozen peas on his face. David kept asking us questions.

We were done talking and as I kissed the boys goodnight, David looked at me and said, "I think God wants me to be a pastor someday."

He was very serious. Chad and I prayed for David and challenged him to keep listening to God's voice.

Tonight, I realized how important parenting can be to The Kingdom of God. When the tender hearts of our children are lead to The Truth, encouraged to trust and admonished to obey.

I am thankful tonight for the grace and understanding of my Heavenly Father who sees we are learning these lessons and growing in faith right along with our children.

"The Lord cares for His people, just as shepherds care for their flocks. He carries the lambs in His arms while gently leading the mother sheep." Isaiah 40: 11