• Jun. 5, 2007
Lesson in the Toy Box
The boys and I feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment this afternoon. We tackled our downstairs toyroom this morning, and they were able to release many of the toys I've been longing to bid farewell for a loooong time.
Does this happen at your house? Every few months we go through their toys and I ask them what we can pass on to someone else, donate, or sell. It has to be a unanimous decision. Without fail, I come away with with a few token trinkets at the bottom of a bag...maybe a super ball, a broken truck, or a game with missing pieces. Despite the fact that I know they've outgrown many of the toys and haven't touched them in years, they've rarely felt ready to part with them. There was one red love bug in particular...a large VW bug that our middle son earned as a reward when we were potty training him. Back in his "Herbie" days, he played with it while watching the movies. He hasn't played with it in years, and every few months, I've tried to persuade him to pass it on to a loving new home. He's never consented...until today.
Today I didn't even have to ask. He was ready. In fact, the boys surprised me and were ready to part with many of their childhood toys. As we worked side by side and sorted through years of memories, I was struck again by the fact that my "little" boys are growing up.
Our newly-turned 8-year-old keeps reminding me that he's halfway to 16. And amidst countless graduations and graduation parties, I'm continually reminded that our oldest son graduates in just 6 years. Our middle son and I were discussing the years of their graduations just a few days ago. I think it was the first time I said it out loud...2013, 2015, 2017...
As I packed up the boys' Rescue Heroes this morning and nostalgically placed them in a bag, I started feeling a bit sad that this particular "season" was behind me. But then God graciously impressed this verse on my heart:
"When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways." 1 Corinthians 13:11
Don't get me wrong...I know our boys are still young. But I'm ever mindful that they're growing and maturing...just as they should do. It's good and right. You'd be pretty shocked to visit me in my home and discover me playing (alone) with dolls or playing dress-up. But far too often, I do the spiritual equivalent. Rather than moving ahead and maturing in Christ, I cling to the past. Rather than exalting Him, I exalt myself. Rather than craving the solid food of God's Word, I desire to be bottle-fed.
And so, while it sometimes causes a mama's heart to ache as we reach some of these new stages and milestones, I'm thankful that God is working in the hearts of our boys and their mom. God used the physical parting of their toys to remind me of a spiritual truth. As we grow, we need to be putting childish things behind us. What's cute as a small child is no longer cute as a 30-something mom. May I never rationalize my sin and make the excuse that "it's just the way I am." Oh, that God would show me where I speak and think and reason like a child; that He would do His transforming work in my heart and life that I may be mature and complete.
Comments
• Jun. 10, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
so true, nikki, so true.
it seems you are entering a new season with the boys.....thanks for the perspective, teaching me to enjoy the time when they are little since before i know it i'll wish i wasn't wishing it to pass faster.
i am sooooooo THANKFUL i was blessed with a leader like you as a teenager! i pray that the girls in your presence now realize the gift they have with you and jon as their spiritual leaders----ones with a soft pliable heart, always open to the Lord's nudging.
tania
• Jun. 10, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by CandaceC
Nikki, as usual, I love reading your entries. I wanted to tell you, I love the Fine Tune thing! So much that I went and chose my favorite songs for my own blog! I do have a question for you...how do you get it to start playing music automatically? Mine shows a button to press for "play" but I would rather it just start playing? Thanks!! I hope you have a great week! :)
• Jun. 11, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by MyThree3Sons
Oh, it is so bittersweet to watch them grow. I've always thought that this must be what it meant in the Bible where it said "And Mary pondered all these things in her heart".
I enjoyed your reading your post this morning. :)
• Jun. 12, 2007
Hi
Posted by momofsix
I was just visiting your blog tonight. I like your blog focus on helping other moms. I could be one of them (he,he). Have a great night.
• Jun. 18, 2007
Sweet Spirit
Posted by NCLighthouseKeeper
I enjoyed stopping by your blog this morning. You have a sweet spirit that shines through your writing.
It is time to go through the toy bins with my almost 9-yr-old and see what can go. Time really does fly. He is my "baby" - my oldest son will be graduating from college in just a few months and starting his 4 year commitment to the Army. I am treasuring this summer with him home.
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Beth
