Like Father, Like Son

I mean, really. It is as if Rudy just cloned himself. Don't make me pull out pregnancy and C-section photos to prove I had something to do with this child's genetics! No-one deserves that.
But, honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. Aron was born looking exactly like his father. Check out some of my posts from 6 years ago, if you need proof. It is why we gave him his daddy's name for a middle name.
My boys have always had their "thing". When Aron was tiny, it was sleep. Aron would want to nurse, if I held him. But, in Daddy's arms he was peaceful and at rest.
As Aron got older, it was "wrestle time". It was raucous and rough and I was happy to have nothing to do with it. I even remember a time when Rudy had to explain to an 18-month-old Aron, that we don't jump on Mommy. We love Mommy. I appreciated that.

These days, guy time = baseball. In my opinion, it is the perfect all-American-apple-pie-star-spangled-red-blooded boy thing to do. I love going to practices and cheering him on at games. And I love my husband for being the kind of father who is plugged in and engaged with his son. Rudy is at every practice and game, unless he is traveling and he is in the yard practicing with Aron at least once a week.

Here they are loosening up for batting:

I believe there is no more important ingredient to parenting than time. Getting on their level and sharing what is important to them. Sharing with them what is important to you. I mean we've all heard Cat's in the Cradle.

Just the other night, my sweet (at that moment, anyway) boy turned to his Daddy and said, "If I have a boy someday, I am going to teach him to play soccer or baseball. Not tennis or ping-pong, 'cause that's too hard. And we'll practice in the yard."
OK, the randomness of the tennis and ping-pong thing is so ARON. But, I could not be more proud of his heart-felt convictions about being a good dad. He'll be like his Daddy in so many ways-not just in appearance, but in his character. And again, my cup overflows.

" ⁶ So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2

He was 6

I had a feeling this was coming. Aron has been interested in baptism since he saw his Daddy make the public profession of his faith a few years ago. And recently, he has made comments about wanting to be baptised "one day". I always responded with, "That will be a special day, baby!" But, I never wanted to lead him further than he was ready to go or past his understanding.

Recently, though, I heard God telling me it would be soon. Really soon. I did not come to faith until my early teen-years, so I was worried about how young Aron is. Would he remember? Could he really understand what it is to believe? I wasn't so sure. Until yesterday.

The deli was a sponsor for the Run 4 Kids 5K at the Tennessee Baptist children's home, so I decided to run. We registered Aron for his first 1-mile Run and Rudy did it with him. It was a great morning and Aron and I both had good runs.

Afterward, we decided to go and get some breakfast. We had a small window of time between the run and Aron's swimming lesson at 11:00. Rudy and I were chatting about the run when I noticed Aron was unusually quiet. Even when Aron is not contributing to the general conversation in the car, he is rarely quiet.

I turned in my seat to see him looking very serious with his hands clasped under his chin.

"Whatcha doin' baby?"

"I was just talking to God," he answered.

"What were you talking to him about?"

"I was just praying that I would get baptised and become a follower of God."

My heart skipped a beat. This is it. This is what God had told me was coming and I was no longer worried or skeptical. I saw the realization and the desire in his sweet little face.

We pulled into the parking lot at the taco shop we had chosen for our post-run meal. I told Aron to unbuckle and climb up front with Rudy and I. We asked him what he thought it meant to be a follower of God and if he believed Jesus had died for his sins and rose from the dead.
He answered everything so naturally and simply. Oh, the faith of a child.

In Mark 10:14 Jesus says:

"Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them; for such is the kingdom of God."

Happy tears ran down my face as Rudy and I prayed with him. While Rudy ordered tacos, I sent a text message to our pastor and my friend Susan who organizes our baptisms. This Sunday just happened to be Baptism Sunday and Susan assured me that Aron could be included. I sent emails and texts to sweet friends who know and love Aron and have been a part of his life and his journey.

I sometimes wrestle with God. (Hey, I never claimed to be the wisest person in the world.) I cross my arms and pretend not to hear him. I hold my breath in fear when I sense him revealing something to me, when I should just thank him and trust him. Aron taught his Mommy a valuable lesson in obedience to the voice of God this weekend. He bounced out of bed this morning: "Good Morning! It's my baptism day!" While getting ready for church he told Rudy, "Nothing is going to keep me from getting baptised today."

He has been grinning ear-to-ear since the moment he rose from that water. And my heart has been full since yesterday. Full of humility and gratitude for the gracious God who gave me the gift of parenting this child. Full of awe and wonder at the way The Spirit can move in a young heart. Full of love and joy as I look to what God has for him in the future.

He is young, but that will be part of his story- that he made Jesus his Lord at an early age. And as his Mommy, I can fill in the blanks for him. I can tell him that he had just run his first mile, that he had swimming lessons and a baseball game that day (and that he had 3 great hits, 2 runs and made 2 outs). I can tell him that it was a cloudy, drizzly day. I can tell him that we were in the car and that we were on our way to have breakfast. I can tell him it was May 14, 2011 and that he was 6.

Texas, My Texas

OK, OK. I know that those of you out there who aren't from Texas wish that those of us who are would just go ahead and hush-up about our home state already. I have been out of Texas long enough to know that most of the rest of the world thinks we are nuts.

But, this post isn't about Texas as much as it is about what I experience when I am in Texas

I get to see this pretty little face!

I watch the best father-son moments happen.

I get up close and personal with this guy. His name is Rooster.

I watch my husband being an uncle...

...my brother-in-law rope my son...

...and my sister being a Mommy.

Pat Green sings a song that talks about Texas filling his soul. I don't believe a place can do such a thing, but I think experiences with those we love can. For me, time with extended family is a treat that only happens once or twice a year. I cherish these sweet memories and look forward to the ones we'll make next time we are there.