When a boy becomes a man

 

         I became an instant mother to three boys eight years ago, ages two, six and eight.   I was captivated by their energy, and charmed by their wild ways. Although I did not get the honor of carrying them in my womb, I could not love them more. It was pretty much, love at first sight.  Tyler, the oldest was precious in everyway.  He was mature for his age, and cared deeply about all people.  Through the years we have received thank you notes from the parents of lonely and bullied children who Tyler has reached out to.  Tyler was known for protecting those who could not protect themselves, and being a friend to the overlooked and vulnerable.  When people tell me how great my son is, all I can say is “I know, he is a good man”.  I have been saying that since he was eight.  Yet, always encouraging him to be a child, and not carry adult responsibilities.

My son is a wild man, like his father and his grandfather.  He needs to track and kill a wild animal on a regular basis.  He thrives on social situations, and hates to miss anything.  He loves to go, and see, and explore new places, he is afraid of very little.  Sitting still in a house, or a classroom with nothing to do is the worst torture for him.   He dreams big, and comes up with some pretty elaborate plans.  I have several of his business plans saved in my computer( and they are pretty good!)  I have listened a million times as he starts his sentence with “Okay, Mom just listen before you say anything”…followed by, some grand “backpacking  across the continent, with my buddy on fifty bucks, and why it makes perfect sense, story.”  He doesn’t get to do everything he comes up with, but we love his creativity!  I tell him often that I pray for his future wife everyday because she is going to have to love adventure and mystery, she will never have a simple suburban life, (and I can relate!)

 So, it was no surprise when he planned, organized, and looked forward to co-leading a trip to Mozambique for one of our teams; it was all he talked about.  He studied it, prepared for it, and did all the research.  He stood in line for hours to get his visa.    

 

The night before he was packed and ready to go, I hugged him for a long time knowing I would miss him so much for the month he was gone, Gary was leaving for London the same day, and all the other kids were heading out with other teams.  It would be a quiet house with just Caleb, Noah and me.

 

You can imagine my surprise when I walked down the stairs at seven am to get coffee, and Tyler was sitting at the kitchen table.  All the teams had left on buses at 6:00 am.  My heart sunk, how had he missed the bus, was he ill?  I couldn’t imagine anything that would have stopped him, he was so excited.   I found my husband already on his second cup of joe, and asked, “Why is Tyler still here?” 

Gary smiled,  “well baby, Tyler is here because he loves you, he said the Lord woke him up last night and told him to stay and watch over his mother while I was in London, you needed to be covered  and protected  while I was in a different country”

I was speechless, and deeply touched.  I knew  we would have been fine on our own, but did not want to stop what the Lord was showing our boy.  For 7 days he played ball with his little brothers, and helped me with their schooling.  The only exciting thing to do here is go to the grocery store or the gas station.  Tyler served, loved, and covered the boys and I with joy and a smile.  He never complained or even hinted about missing his trip. It was during this time that I realized that our son had become a man. It has nothing to do with the size of his biceps, or the fact that he is almost 6’3.   Tyler had laid down his own wants and desires and chosen obedience, he cared more about what the Lord required of him, than a wild adventure.

       I know that he will be blessed with a wonderful and amazing life; I know that the favor that sits on him now will only increase over the years.  I also know that my future daughter-in-law and grandchildren will always be protected and provide for, as I have been. 

       A real man gets to have it all, when he understands obedience, and when he submits to the ways of the Lord.  Tyler at 16 is more of a man than most 50 year olds I know, he is wild, loving, intelligent, and on his way to becoming a King., and thank you son,  you are a good Man!