Ever get placed in a job you didn't ask for or possibly think you are not prepared for? This has been a common theme in my life lately, at work, church, home, etc. I'm sitting here staring at an unopened copy of Chasing Daylight from Erwin Raphael McManus and right next to it is a little token from my employer that I chose as a future gift to one of my boys. I want to make sure my boys are exposed to everything I know anything about and especially those things that I feel are important for boys to know. No boy on this planet should ever not have whittled a stick into a tent peg or pitched a tent with poles made from natural materials. These are things not taught in public or private school and though we may never truly NEED these skills, they teach many other valuable lessons about being independent, resourceful, and flexible.
Nick is very inflexible. If things are not just so, he's ready to blow a gasket and with both of us being as stubborn as we are - it's like oil and water sometimes. Once I get him (and me) calmed down and try to explain the why's and wherefores he eventually comes around. Bugs and camping are still not his thing, but we are getting there. And if time comes that he doesn't want to be involved in such activities, that's fine - he can watch me enjoy them without him. The legacy trinket i just got him is his first Buck knife. A Buck Model 110 Folding Hunter - I plan on using it for a few years to establish it as "daddy's hunting knife" and when I think he or Jack is ready and open to the idea, I will hand it down. Great...now the secret is out...hope they never find these pages :)
I've been thinking about what it means to be a dad...a father is easy - just donate sperm and you are done. Being "Dad" is a little harder - it requires enough loving involvement with your youngsters to keep them as close as possible, mixed with just enough sternness to make them want to move out on their own when the time comes. I want my kids to love me, but to respect me and the things I stand for as well. I'm horrified by the direction this world is going and I urge every one of my readers to get involved in preventing our country from having to re-learn historical mistakes. We found out that ovens are hot during Hitlers world tour - there is NO need to touch the oven door again and re-learn what HOT feels like. Chairman Mao had his go as well...I hardly feel that our kindergartners need to be singing political chants and ideals.
http://michellemalkin.com/2008/09/30/the-obama-childrens-chorus/
Leaving a legacy for your kids means having a legacy to leave. It means (at least to me) that we should pass on our beliefs and morals. Morals that built this country from the ground up. Maybe we are a bunch of tyrants, but I'd like to think the world is a better place because of us. Obama's thoughts on the Iranian missile launch this week appall me. We should just be nice to Iran, and ask them to play nice because we are all obligated to play nice on the playground. I'm sorry...but I think Barry has never been punched in the face, or spit on. Humanity doesn't work that way. I know I am to turn the other cheek and I have faith in God but I struggle daily with the thought of Iran throwing a nuke at Jerusalem just for shits and giggles. Their ideals are evil and Obama supports their actions indirectly by not opposing them directly. How does that saying go...Stand for SOMETHING or you will fall for EVERYTHING? It's high time we all take a stand and drop the apathy folks. Apathy and sloth are both very similar.
We all need to take a good look inside and learn to act on that little voice in our head that tells us to help an elderly person across the street, or to help a person who has fallen or is hurt...and we also need to hear that voice that screams "something is wrong" and act on it. If your heart and mind are with God - I highly doubt he will lead you wrong - If you act on something that is wrong morally, He will steer you right. But apathy and sloth - inaction at it's best will prevent you from ever seeing this miracle in your own life. I'm daily looking for my chance to shine and it looks right now like my kids are where my heart is - It's high time we get them involved with things that will actually teach them life skills down the road. No propaganda - but self worth, self reliance, and team work. And now i'm off to find the numbers for our local Boyscouts troop - Nicks at the right age for Cub Scouts - and it's high time he get involved too. He just don't know it yet :)
