Learned Lesson

I am sure I will have to experience innocence lost with my children. CJ and I do our best to let them keep their innocence as long as possible as best we can in this Soddom and Gommorah in which we live: Mainly thorugh protecting their eyes. Boys are so intrigued- and later on stimulated- by sight, it's imperative to me to guard their eyes while I am training them in these early years on what is more important to focus. However, their hearts can only be guarded for so long by me. Sometimes, when they realize the reality is not what they expected, it stings. Cole got a quick lesson in that.

It's no secret my boys love to be either in their underwear or dressed up like super heroes. I suppose it's only natural they would like to wear their costumes out in public. I suppose since we go to a Lowe's where I have seen some in p.j.'s (not me, Dena :) ), it would not be against any decency laws. So, on a trip to Lowe's, Cole decides to wear the Batman regala complete with the mask. I'm not sure how he expected to be received; maybe with thanks of gratitude for continually defeating the bad guys. Maybe he wanted a free soda (very restricted at our house- we have enough energy) for his keen wit. All I know is the conversation went like this:

Cole: Mom, when we get to the store, you just push me around in the buggy because it's a little hard to see in this mask.

Me: Cole, what will you say if people talk to you as if you're Batman.

Cole: Mom, I AM Batman. I think they will like to see me out.

Me: OK, we can do that.

Upon entering, needless to say, not too many people noticed how I was lucky enough to be pushing in THE Batman. They basically just went around their business doing thier thing. We got an occassinal look and brief smile and there was a teenage employee who, indeed, thanked Batman for all of his hard work. But for the most part, it was a quiet trip. We got a few snickers and it was hard to tell if they were snickers like, "Oh my gosh, I can't believe his mom let him out that way." or "Look at him, he is so cute." It was probably a bit of both. But since 5 year olds don't distinguish a sarcastic tone from another one(Note to CJ ;) ), I found my protective mom mode kicking in and trying to avoid the aisles with the perpetrater laughers. When we got into the van, my son proved, once again, he was much more keen than I ever think is.

Cole: Mom, no one seemed to notice me.

Me: Maybe they did and just thought you didn't want to be bothered.

Cole: Well, I looked at people and smiled. They didn't smile back. I even took my mask off so they would not be scared.

Me: Cole, not all people will be kind to you just because you're kind to them. But that doesn't mean we stop being kind. And besides, what about that guy who thanked you for fighting the bad guys?

Cole: Yeah, but that was only one out of all the people I saw.

Me: One is better than none and that must be how lots of other heroes feel when they aren't noticed.

The fact my five year old was brave enough to wear that Batman costume to the store tells me I have the makings of a mighty warrior on my hands. The fact he noticed others tells me he has a compassionate heart.

Lord, guide CJ and me as we seek to train these boys to be seekers of You and warriors for the cross. May we impart knowledge and guidance to them as You grow them and give them talent and wisdom. As mighty as I want them to be, more than that, I want them to be reckless abandoned men after Your heart.