Growing Pains

There have been many nights where I sat up with my little boy.  I've watched over him through colic, teething, whooping cough, and all the childhood colds and flus.  Over the years, those nights have become rare.  This night was different. I had thought those nights were hard. This night was worse.

On this night  I sat and held my twelve year old son while his heart broke. There was no medicine I could offer to ease his pain.  His friend and teammate had committed suicide. I had never thought to prepare him for this kind of grief - not at twelve. A child should never grieve another child's suicide.

Long after I thought he had fallen asleep, I lay awake with my own questions and grief. Then in the darkest hour of the night he materialized at my bedside. He wanted to be held, to be comforted. I felt so inadequate. I couldn't pick him up and hold him as I had when he was a baby; he is nearly as tall as I am now.  With a breaking mother heart, I bowed my head and sought my Heavenly Father.  He alone could comfort my son's heart. His arms were big enough to hold this tall gangly youth.

We knew the weekend would hold challenges for all the boys on my son's team.  They had a soccer tournament to play in.  They were already emotionally exhausted and three games would physically exhaust them. I prepared myself for the tears that normally followed a tournament loss. But what actually happened surprised me.  Instead of  disappointment and tears at loosing the tournament, I saw them laughing and joking with each other. They were enjoying each other. That's when I first noticed it.  My son was standing a little taller.

In the days that followed I noticed more changes.  He tenderly roughhoused with his little sister. His voice was gentler, more thoughtful.  When he hugged me, his arms slipped over my shoulders. Then, at the candle-light vigil, I knew for sure. As he slipped his arms around his teammate's mother and comforted her, I realized my son had become a man.

While I was praying that God would comfort my little boy, God was shaping him into a man. Again my mother heart broke. Again I sought my Heavenly Father. His response?
Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you...
Never will I leave your son; never will I forsake him. 

Lego Controversy: Time To Sound Off

While we were at the store today, my daughter spotted the new Lego Friends series. I was surprised to discover that there is a huge comtraversy concerning these sets. The problem? They are girl themed building sets. The blocks include pink and baby blue. According to activists, these sets enhance gender stereo-types. I want to know what you think. Before reading my opinion below, please look up "Lego Friends controversy" and form your own opinion. Then come back and tell me what you think (dissenters too). 

At our house, we don't do a lot of "girly" toys. I want toys that fire the imagination and that my kids will play with together. The princess stuff isn't for us. We want to do things and make things. That may be why I was so surprised by the controversy surrounding Lego Friends. 
We did end up buying a set (a hot day, a broken arm, a cranky girl, and a tired momma - what can I say?) I was pleased that the series included a veterinary clinic, a lab, and a music set with a grand piano. I think those all encourage non-traditional roles. Personally, I want the lab set. 

My girl was delighted. She has always loved building with the regular Lego sets. But honestly, she doesn't like Star Wars or war as much as her brother. This new series "tickled her pink." More importantly, she played with the Legos nonstop until bedtime. She built, arranged, and told stories. I could tell her imagination was busy creating. 

Final verdict from this momma?
Way to go Lego! Thank you for giving girls creative choices.

To those opposing Lego:
I understand the argument, but Lego isn't the company to target. Fight against Hollywood and the princess mentality, but let the girls build with pink blocks.

What do you think?

The Mind of the Maker

The doctrine of the Trinity is one of the most elusive concepts in Christianity.  In The Mind of the Maker, Dorothy Sayers explores this complicated issue through the lenses of an author.   God's first recorded act was creation and we were created in His image.  Sayers argues that we most resemble God when we are creating.  She draws a three fold parallel from the mind of the writer to theTrinity. First, the author conceives a story or Idea.  The Idea exists only in the creator's mind, yet it is complete.  Like God the Father, the Idea exists outside of time and space.  Eventually, the writer makes his Idea concrete.  That is, he commits his thoughts to paper.  He goes through a sacrificial process so that others may know the Idea.  This is the parallel to Christ.  Finally, other people read and the Idea causes a response in them.  Perhaps they share it with others and, if it is a really good book, it will change their lives.   This is how the Holy Spirit works. Of course, Sayers writing is more in depth and much more eloquent. She explores some interesting thoughts which result from viewing life creatively and she references other authors and speakers who have contributed to the concept. Dorothy L. Sayers was uniquely qualified to discuss the author's mind.  She was one of the first women to receive a degree from Oxford. She went on to become an accomplished author, poet, playwright, and translator.  She was most proud of her translation of Dante's Divine Comedy. However, her most popular work remains the Lord Peter Wimsey series of mysteries. I have enjoyed the Wimsey mysteries for years, but this is the first of Sayers theological works I have read. I found myself underlining crucial passages in order to help me remember them.  I am certainly looking forward to retreading this book.