You know how there’s an acknowledgement section in the front
of most books?
I think often of the people in my life who help shape not
only the writing on this blog, but my life. They listen to my rants, pray
regularly for me (they know I need it after my rants), and speak truth where I
need to hear it. They call me, write me, text me, and remain an ongoing source of
support and encouragement. I am so grateful for their life-giving presence in
my days and weeks.
I’ve mentioned a few friends off and on in my blog. But I
wanted to give you a chance to hear from them too. Not just know their name but
experience who they are.
And so, allow me to introduce my first guest, Heather Eure.
Heather and I met while I was working on a curriculum called
Rio. (Actually, I’m still working on it, but that’s a saga for another day…).
Heather and I struck up a friendship in no time at the first event our company
held for some partner churches. She was assigned to my group and a good amount
of the creativity in my lessons is attributed to her input. Let me add two
words: relay races.
Heather and I talked a lot at the original partner
gathering, and we really haven’t shut up since, either of us. She is a woman of
depth, strength, and wisdom. She is also one of the wittiest people I know.
Heather lives in Hertford, North Carolina, with her husband
David and their three sons: Seth, Liam, and Hayden.
*********************
My Three Sons
by Heather Eure
My boys, count three of 'em, are feral.
The weather here in North Carolina has been
unseasonably warm. So that means we needed to get outside and do some yard
work. As a family. Sounds ideal, right? No. No, it isn't. Not ever.
No sooner
are the tasks given, the mood shifts. They need to create "The Rumble in the
Backyard Jungle." In order to do yard work, my delightful children must brawl it
out first.
The oldest son (Seth) decides to spray middle
son's (Liam) shoes with a water hose. No one touches or disrespects Liam's
shoes. With the reflexes of a ninja, Liam throws his shoe with great force and
accuracy, straight for the well-groomed head of Seth. KA-THUD!! Right on his
gourd. Surprised, I blurt out: "Who throws a shoe when they're mad,
honestly?!?" Seth, rubs his noggin and replies, "It's commonplace in
some middle eastern countries. It's actually a high insult."
Seth then
commences to chase his brother around the house, hitting him with his favorite
redneck hat, and then Liam grabs it, and throws it on top of the house. I'm
yelling, "What is wrong with you two?!? Every single time I ask you guys
to do something..." The youngest (Hayden), who has been observing and
taking mental notes the whole time quips, "And that is an even higher insult.
Get it, Mom? His hat is on the roof."
So now, with enough time spent stalking his
prey, Hayden makes his move and runs into both his brothers, knocking them
flat. Just because he could. I'm
hollering at Hayden to stop using pro-wrestling moves, the other two screech
and squawk at being victims of The Flying Burrito.
That's when I begin to
notice my neighbors. Next door, across the street, down the street...are all
looking our way, talking and pointing. I'm pretty sure I saw words mouthed such
as, "savages," "unfit mother," "Malcolm in the Middle
episode," and "hot dog" (I think that guy was just hungry).
Sure, I wanted to explain to each and every
neighbor how my boys possess love, kindness, faithfulness, goodness, and surely, if they knew them they'd see joy, gentleness, patience, and self-control at some point during the week. month.
But does it really matter what they think of
this trio of now laughing, feral boys? Not really. Because I know who they are,
and what's in their hearts. And God knows them more intimately than I do.
Although, they will have to hear it from me later that evening, and boy, oh
boy...will they be sorry, I know that God is the one who will nudge and correct
my boys in a much more effective way. And He does.
After a little while the boys apologized for
any harm they may have caused each other, and worked together to get Seth's hat
off the roof, and towel dried Liam's shoes. They also finished the yard work.
Together.
Basically. Without fighting. Much.
"If
we only have the will to walk, then God is pleased with our stumbles."
-C.S. Lewis
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