There are moments as a parent that just bring extreme pride and joy. Where your kids do something and you cant help but smile as the excitement takes over. Moments where you just want to scream and shout, “That’s my boy!” You know the moments I am talking about, like scoring the winning touchdown, riding his snowboard for the first time or getting that game winning hit, right? The big moments! As parents though we are learning it is the little things in life that many times we don’t even think about that can bring these emotions. Recently it was Silas peeing on the pot for the first time. He was so excited as he sat there just smiling away and couldn’t wait to give me a high five. In his mind he had just counquered the world. For Eli it is learning to jump off things higher and higher. Now I know for some parents that might seem like a scary idea, but it is what he loves to do. He will look at me, tell me to move back and then wait for the countdown. “Ready, set, rev your engines,” as his arms go up in the air like he is riding a motorcycle, “Goooo!” Then he takes off in a run towards the hillside and launches off into my arms. “Bungakowa.” He screams. (He has it a little backwards still). Such a moment of thrill and excitement. As I swing him in the air, and then set him down, you can see the joy as he jumps for a high five and again I yell, “That’s my boy.”
Some people might think I am nuts, but I truly believe in positive reinforcement with our two boys. Lettting them know how much the little things in life mean to Lindsey and I. Whether it is getting their colors right, learning new words, using a slide, etc… it truly is about the little things. We want them to know how much they mean to us, each and every day. Do they have their moment where they disappoint or frustrate us? Oh yeah, of course they do, but I dont eve want our kids to think that we don’t find joy in them.
So the other night, as I was putting Eli to bed, praying over him, thinking back over the day and the things he had done, God hit me with this. That same feeling you have towards your boys, I have towards you. That same thought of, “That’s my boy,” is the same way I see you my child. I couldn’t help but smile. The reality and truth that I have been accepted and adopted into God’s family is a game changer. Think about it. God screaming and shouting over me and you. “That’s my boy,” or “Thatta girl.” Can you just imagine? The creator, God himself, looking down on you, as his child. If that can’t get you excited you better check your pulse. Are you breathing, or is this just another moment of ho hum, yeah I heard this before. Please take a moment and truly understand that you are God’s adopted! God’s child!
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “ Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”
Romans 8:14-16 NIV
“Daddy.” You can cry out to him, saying, “ABBA, Daddy.” That is personal! And that is how God sees you who have put your trust in Him. Check it out in the Message version and I will let that speak for itself to finish out today’s post. Take a moment and just cry out to Him. `