Tonight, I am sitting on my couch, looking up at my son's "Happy Second Birthday" that is still hanging on my living room hall. It is difficult for me to imagine two things: 1) Is he really already two? 2) Was there really ever a time he was not apart of my life? In two years of knowing him he has taught me so much:
- We are free to be ourselves. From the moment he found his personality he has refused to hide it. He is all Brayden all the time. Whether he is rocking his guitar, singing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," or simply running through the house laughing and then falling, he only knows how to be himself. He doesn't have to pretend. I don't think we do either. We are free to be ourselves.
- We don't have to be afraid of gravity. Even though I have seen him tumble over couches, out of bed and I have watched him leap off of every scalable surface in my house, he continues to jump. It doesn't seem to matter that he has bruises and bumps. It doesn't matter that he doesn't always land favorably. He still dares and risks. He has no fear of gravity. We don't have to be afraid of all the things that seem to pull us back to the earth when we attempt to dream and risk the seemingly impossible.
- Everthing we do deserves all the energy we have. When he approaches anything whether playing or wrestling or whining, it gets the whole of his energy. He holds nothing back. I think we should all approach life this way. Everything we do deserves everything we've got. Otherwise, why do it?
- Finally there is nothing that a hug and a smile can't fix. If he falls a hug and smile make it better. If his older brother hurts him. Hug and smile. If he sees me frustrated, he gives me a hug and smile. When I walk through the door with the weight of work on my shoulders and clouding my mind, here he comes with a hug and smile. I wish we could all know that kind of love and trust.
So, to my now two year old son. Thanks for making me a better man. I love you big boy.
Wow! Interesting how we can learn so much from those who haven't been around very long. Thanks for sharing your heart. I'm starting my day with these points in mind. Let's see what a great day this will be!
ReplyDeleteLoved reading your blog this morning. Took me back to when my kids were two... yes still cant believe the time flew so quickly and yet cant even image life before them. They are my whole world. To me giving them up completely to the Lord as a mom is so difficult yet I know that I can't handle them anymore. God has His hand on them and is doing a much better job at directing them now than I could. Thanks for the reminder of having a child like character. Loved "don't be afraid of gravity" and "everything we do deserves all the energy we have"!!!! As a parent watching my young adult children spread their wings and go for it.... I have to hold back and give them their space!!! And then just stand back and pray they let God direct their paths!!! Its an awesome journey! Thank you for your thoughts! Happy Birthday Brayden!!!! You are blessed with a Godly dad and beautiful mommy!
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