By guest blogger, Paul LePore
Yes … today was that day. It had finally arrived. As I was talking to my son about school and things, I noticed dark, black whiskers on his face, his chin, his cheeks … everywhere. Yes, he looked like an old Manchurian man selling fresh fish at the Shi Chang (local market). Yes, he is growing up; he’s not so little anymore.
So, it was a proud moment. A father teaching his young Padawan how to groom as a man-a lifelong process of dragging a sometimes sharp object painfully across his face, then splashing a sweet scented, alcohol enriched, concoction on his face to top it off. Truly a “Home Alone” moment. It is the beginning of a long, miserable process that usually ends with little pieces of bloody toilet paper on your face.
We love our children and it truly is a blessing to watch them grow up, like flowers blooming-from infancy to adulthood, and everything in between. And, each stage is marked by change. “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.” (1 Corinthians 13:11).
As our children grow, they face new challenges and struggles in life, in much the same way as our own spiritual growth in Christ. Our children need love and nurture, just as God’s spiritual children do. So, Christ loves us and helps us in our daily walk, when we allow Him to. Isn’t it comforting to know that “God is our refuge and strength and ever present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1)? Not only that, but He guides His children toward mature, productive lives, just as a good parent does for his children. “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” (Colossians 1:10).
Razors – $10. Shaving Cream – $3. Teaching your son to shave for the first time – Priceless. I guess learning to drive is next …
Paul LePore