Faith Expressed In Love

There is a laundry list of lessons I hope to pass on to my two sons, Elijah (4 yrs) and Ben (3 yrs) before they grow up and leave the house.  But how often do I stop and think strategically about what these things are.  Sure, sometimes the obvious object lesson jumps in front of you, like how you should share with your friends or not check for poop in your shorts with your fingers.

Sometimes these lessons are as simple as wash your hands before you eat so you don't get sick.  Or it could be more important, like how we always treat mommy, or ladies, softly and with respect.  When I think about everything on the list I get a little nervous I'll forget something.

But I must be doing something right.  This weekend Elijah showed he inherited one of my favorite skills I developed in the seventh grade.  In middle school, I developed the ability to catch a fly with my bare hands.  I'm sure it was a feeble attempt to impress the ladies.  For the remainder of the school year I would catch flies in class and give them away as prisoners in mechanical pencil plastic lead containers.

This past Saturday we had a fly flying around in our van, which I attempted to catch but missed.  Eli and Ben saw what I was attempting to do and joined in the activity as the poor fly bounced from window to window.  As we were getting out of the van Kati got excited saying she thought Elijah had caught it.  I skeptically came to Eli's side to open his door and I checked his hand.  As he slowly opened his fingers, the fly bolted out to the open door, happy to find freedom again.  Needless to say, I was super excited and Eli had the biggest, most proud smile on his face.

Not sure if this was something that he picked up cause he had watched his Dad or if he genetically inherited some kind of super speed.  At any rate, I hope he has a better luck than I did using his special ability to pick up chicks.  And I also pray he and Ben pick up more important things their father, intentionally or unintentionally, hopes to instill in them.