THE MAN IN HIM

I look into the eyes of my three old son, watch him ponder the childish wonders, catch glimpses of his dreams through his eyes, listen to all he wants to be when he grows up. 

                             I SEE A MAN IN HIM:

It might sound crazy to some for me to look into my three year old son’s eyes and see a man in there, but it’s true. There are moments when the man is more apparent than others, like in the moment of decision on whether to obey or not. I see those little shoulders square, the chin set and a look of conviction in his eyes when he’s decided he wants to be good. 

I see the man in him when he wants to prove his strength and his intelligence by trying to pick up the heaviest object he can find, or write his numbers or letters to perfection.

I hear the boyish dreams of “being just like Daddy when I get bigger,” “get married and have children, Mama,” and “I’m gonna have a job and make lots of money,” and I see the man in him. 

I kneel beside his bed and watch his even breathing. I close my eyes tight to hold back the tears. My little boy is growing up. I know it’s a good thing, but oh, how I fear for him, for the man in him.

The man that will have bigger fish to fry one day, greater temptations, important, life-changing decisions, and my Mama’s heart fears…

As I kneel, I pray, “God, put Jesus in his heart. Please help him to love You with ALL his heart.” The tears fall softly, he stirs and in the shadows I see his baby face and I realize for the hundredth time how great of a responsibility I have. I feel overwhelmed with this knowledge; how do I get my little boy from here to there safely?

In my rush to get housecleaning done my minds goes to more important things and I feel God’s presence in my thoughts.

God created man in His image. My son is already like God. He not only has the seed of Adam, but first he has God’s image.

God promised to never leave us. God will always be there, no matter the circumstances my son will have to face. 

God is not willing for anyone to perish. It’s not just me that wants him to make it to Heaven; God wants it so much more than I.

I can try to coerce my son into what I think He should be even down to allowing Jesus to be his savior. I can push, prod, and manipulate. And it might work…

Or I can listen to the winds of the Holy Spirit that says to pray, to believe that God is able to reach him. As I teach, discipline, play and love my dear boy, I can give him to the Lord, commit his way to God.

                             

                                                  AND FOR NOW…

I think I’ll try God’s way. I’ve heard it works. And someday I hope to look up into my son’s face and see a man…a man of God.