One evening, my 5 year old son Leo announced "I am going to be in a warrior video with Dad and I got to hold a real sword." He was beaming with pride and joy as he made the announcement to his sisters, mom and me at the dinner table. We had just finished filming a few scenes that would be used for the HEART OF A WARRIOR book trailer and Leo and I had prominent images. He was so proud.
Kate said “that’s great Leo, you must be proud.” He smiled. “Mom, what's a warrior?“
“It's someone who stands up and fights for what is right for others.” She said.
“Am I a warrior? “ he asked
“Absolutely.”
“But Leo," I interrupted, “before you can become a warrior and use a sword, you must first know that you are beloved. “
“Dad, what is beloved?” he looked with a tilted head.
“It means you are MY BOY.”
“Oh dad, I know I am the boy, you tell me every day.”
“You better believe it." I replied, which is the standard daily exchange between this father and son when I ask him "who is my boy?" and he replies "ME!" And I quickly retort….
He smiled.
“So that means you are also a warrior.”
He beamed.
That IS my boy, I thought with a deep sense of joy. And its vital that he knows that, no matter what. I feel certain he does. I feel certain all my children do. Its one of a father's greatest gifts he can offer.
Leo spends most of his days in one of three costumes, either Superman, Spiderman, or Batman. I haven’t determined which one he prefers most or what his rhyme or reason is for being one or the other at different times of the day, but we just go with it. John Eldridge author of Wild at Heart, one of my favorite Christian books says, "little boys are not pretending, they are practicing." I think he is right.
Leo likes to quote the line where Spiderman says "with great power comes great responsibility." We remind him of that often when he mistreats his sisters or just acts like most brothers and little boys will do from time to time. I have further developed the Spiderman mantra and expanded it to include the question where does power come from? Love. And where does love come from? God.
I love the way we can connect it all together for Leo’s developing mind and heart. And for mine too.
Because, the truth is, I am not pretending either, nor am I practicing anymore. Its all for real.
Amen and AMEN