The Heart Of A Man

My heart just about burst with pride this evening as I saw my oldest son grow right before my eyes.

It started as I was getting the kids to bed. Clara and Benjamin came walking up to me, each holding one end of something long and black. Clara said, "Look what we found in the play room Mommy. It's yours!"

It was the chest strap to my heart rate monitor.

"Hey! That IS mine! How did it end up in the play room? That's not okay!"

I looked back and forth between their two faces. Their pride in presenting me with something they knew belonged to me had vanished and was replaced with a fear of getting in trouble.

"Not me!", they said in unison.

"Well, I certainly didn't put it up there. One of you must have. Who? I expect honesty."

"Samantha must have done it", suggested Benjamin.

"No. I keep it on top of my dresser, and Sammy can't reach up there."

"Now who?"

Silence.

"Okay, well, no allowance for either of you until I get honesty from whoever took it."

The evening went on. Teeth...brushed. Jammies...on. Room...straightened. Faces...washed. Books...chosen.

I ran downstairs to grab something, and on my way back up, Benjamin met me in the middle.

"Mommy? You know that black strap thing? I took it from your room. I'm sorry. I didn't know that it was so important to you."

I could see the fear in his eyes, but also the relief of having told the truth.

"Oh, Benjamin. I do wish you hadn't taken something that wasn't yours, but I am very proud of you for telling me the truth. I forgive you, Sweetie."

Big hugs. I could feel his heart pounding.

"Were you a little afraid to tell me the truth?"

I was expecting a simple "Yeah", but out gushed: "YES. I was. It was so confusing. My heart (pointing to his chest) was telling me to be honest, but my head (pointing to his right temple) was telling me 'Trouble!' I just didn't know what to do!"

Oh, did I have to fight back the tears to respond to him! I was almost choking on my tears of pride.

"Yeah, it can be confusing. I know how that feels, I've felt that way before too. It's a yucky feeling, huh? Do you feel better now that you told me the truth?"

"Yeah."

"Try to remember how yucky it felt to lie to me the next time you're confused, okay? Maybe it will help you to remember that it's always best to tell the truth."

"Okay."

"Do you know what you did tonight, Benjamin? Do you know what you did when you were brave and told me the truth? When you did the right thing even though it might have gotten you in big trouble?"

"What?"

"You did what a man does. This shows me that you're growing into a very good man, and I'm so proud of you."

(A quiet nod from Ben)

"And do you know what else it shows me?"

"What?"

"It shows me that Jesus is talking to you, and that you're listening. It's not always easy to do, but it's so very important. He loves you very much, and He will never lead you down the wrong path."


"Yeah! I hear him talking to me in a little voice all the time!"

Oh my...now I was REALLY fighting the tears and was covered in goose-bumps.

"Well, I'm pretty sure that Jesus is proud of you tonight too."

"Yeah", with a proud smile and a big hug.

*******************************************************

Oh Lord, thank you. Thank you for this little boy who is already showing the heart of a man. Not any man. Your man. Thank you for saving him, and for being so near to him each day. I pray you'll continue to guide his steps. And keep his ears open, Lord. Keep them open so that he can always hear your voice. I pray you'll protect his future. Do great things with this boy, Lord. He loves you so much already. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!