Saturday, June 5, 2010

little boys


dear emily,

don't you just adore little boys?



there is something about their carefree, ornery zest for life that just
slays me.  i love that you let your boys get as dirty as they need to be
in order to play as hard as they want.

nothing is more winsome than a dirt-smudged smile and an excited
high-pitched voice saying, "mommy, look what i found for you!"
it's also a little scary.  a flower from your neighbor's garden or a
snake from the creek?

my boys would watch for their daddy to return home each evening
and tackle him at the door.  no matter how hard the day, he would
throw them over his shoulder and hurl them onto the couch.  this
was the signal for "chinese team", a bizarre and mysterious game
that involved lots of running, wrestling, and hilarious shrieking.



their natures are wired to hunt, gather, and protect, and  i'm not sure
if "chinese team" taught them much about those things, but they had
to be a little bit tough to play it.



we don't know what the Lord has planned for our sons, but we can
prepare them for most anything by teaching them that He loves them
even more  than their own father does and that He will equip them
for any task for which He calls them.  we can pray that they will be
valiant and courageous, with hearts turned toward Him and wills bent
to obey.

"I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and
stand before Me in the gap . . ." ezekiel 22:30

love,
lea

ps.  i am reposting an old piece to participate in "sabbath rest."

22 comments:

Nancy's Daily Dish said...

What a sweet post this is. I am reminded of my own boys, the oldest of which moved out last night to his first place, and of all the times they played in mud and dirt and got so grimy and slimy! As I cried my eyes out last night after he left my husband said, "we can be proud of who he is...he'll be alright". I know God has big plans for his life.

Thanks for your sweet post!

Town and Country House said...

What a wonderful post. My two boys have had my heart from the moment they arrived, and they are never happier than when they are sweaty, stinky, and dirty unless it's when they are cleaned up, wearing bowties, and ready for courtin'!

Silver Strands said...

Wow Lea ... very tender and poignant.

oxoxox
Denalee

Natasha in Oz said...

Being from a family of 3 girls (my poor Dad!) I didn't quite know what to expect when I had my sweet son...

You are right-they are full of fun, surprises and have are fascinated by everything dirty, but what surprised me the most was his affection! He loves a cuddle and boy, does he love his Mum! What a joy! I am so happy I have a son!

Best wishes for a beautiful weekend,
Natasha.

Southern Lady said...

How sweet! My prayer is that my girls will one day meet boys raised by parents like you and your husband. Carla

I Love Pretty Little Things said...

Oh My Mother's Heart...I had three of those kind of little boys. They would always be really sweaty. :) There is an ornery zest that can wear a mommy out while, at the same time, melting her heart! I do adore those little boys!

Rosie said...

Once again so very true...I LOVE my BOYS...and thank God daily for being gifted with them...

Now, please elaborate on the "feed burner"...oh my word...what is that???...and should I be???
...a curious Rosie

The Strawberry Mallard said...

What a wonderful testament to the things that little boys are made of...those snips and snails and puppy dog tails give them a fighting spirit for the road ahead!
Hugs, Nancy

Vivek said...

Hi Lea,
wow , what a marvelous peice of unique creation ..loved it "Dil se" (inner core of heart).

You reminded of my childhood days where playing in the sun , rain an with mud were some of the favorite passtime ..

And when back home it was , some amazing scolding from Mom ..hehe ..
but the free spirit was never .. mellowed down by ..this it ..and used to explore new ways .. which was such a amazing thing ..

Thanks Lea .. for such a mesmerizing and tempting post...making me to go back to childhood days .. isn't it feel so when we look at the small kids playing or doing some naughty things feels like ..childhood come alive...

Have a gr8 weekend ...

Take care and keep smiling :)

Jenny said...

One afternoon I was taking a nap when my 10 year old son came in and said, "Look Mom, what I found!" I awoke to see a snake dangling above my head. I just smiled, so he wouldn't do it again when he saw I was horrified. Boys are great and certainly different from girls!

Joan Elizabeth said...

I've found my many nephews fun until they turned into teenagers ... fortunately by the time they got to uni I found I could communicate with them again and it is wonderful to now see them establish their own families.

I love your selected scripture today.

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

This was so sweet! Yes, there is something about those little boys...from the first love offering of a handful of weeds to the mom they love, to the slicked down hair that wants to pop up, to the way they just come right out with things, no sneakiness, just open. They get our hearts, and we feel exactly the same about our 2 grandsons. All boy... such joy!!

Brittany Ann said...

Little boys! Even without children, when I imagine my future little ones, I picture interactions just like this with my little sons. I can't wait! You put it so perfectly into words!

Vee said...

I'm all grins. Love this post and you express it all so very well.

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Ahhhh yes! Little boys! We had two. And now we have three growing up, right next door.

And as if on cue, one of them just called... To see if he can come over to finish his project, with his 'Pop.'

It doesn't get much better than this.

^_^

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, I loved this letter. Waves of memories of my two sons swept over me. I loved the pics of Max and Issac. Brought tears to my eyes. Many memories of Max and Stephen playing as little boys. It's fun to see the grown up "little boys". What fine young men they turned out to be. God is good. A

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

As a mother of five boys, I so love this...and so true.
As I watched all my sons yesterday at my mother-in-law's 95th birthday I couldn't help but think how I have enjoyed the world of boys.
I have also enjoyed my girl. :)
Enjoyed...
Janette

Rosie said...

Oh, Lea you are so very dear. Thanks so much for the info...you know I saw the great pics on everyones sidebar, but had no idea how to make mine show up...will totally get on this the next chance I get...sending a huge hug...a computer illiterate Rosie :)

Jenners said...

I love the line about "a flower ... or perhaps a snake??" If I'm ever given a snake, I'm running for it!

And my son and husband have a mysterious game they play called "The Knock Over Game," which I think it exactly what it sounds like!

Gloria said...

What a sweet post! My dear hubby, Richard, has always been attacked at the door when he comes in after a long day of work. He loves it, and I know it truly is one of his best moments of his day.
I thank God that my girls, and now my grand children, have someone who loves to chase them around and wrestle with them when he arrives home. Letting them know they are his joy!
Our dog, Rocky, barks his head off as they all do this making it a very noisy activity!!! :)

Cinnamon said...

That is so true!! Boys are dirty grimy little fellas but we love them don't we :-)

~Cinnamon

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

In good keeping with my recent post. Little boys and big ones, I love them all!

peace~elaine