Don’t Poke a Sleeping Teen

February 9, 2014.Reading time 2 minutes.

Our eldest has been dealing with the big college decision along with a several disappointments during her senior year. I came home the other night and just felt the urge to pray with her. Being a teen, she spends most of her time in her ultra-neat and clean room, so I knocked and got a quiet reply.

When I opened the door, the light was off. She had obviously been sleeping, but she looked at me and talked quite coherently. I sat on the edge of the bed and told her what I wanted. She agreed and laid back while I beseeched God for wisdom and direction for her. I am not a deep prayer and my words don’t string together poetically like some folks I’ve been around. I love hearing someone like that pray, though. You sometimes feel like you’ve been taken to the very throne room of God. I wish I could be that eloquent. Since I’m not, I pray like the simple child that I am.

It was a very sweet time. I couldn’t help reminisce about bygone days when I would sit on the edge of a smaller bed and say prayers over a little bundle with curly hair, pacifier, and her Arthur jammies – sleeping in touchdown position. Precious. A little tear formed in the corner of my eye as I whispered, ‘Amen’ and kissed her on the forehead. Our times like this are running desperately short.

I wondered if she felt the same tug on her heart as she looked up at me innocently. I wondered right up until she grunted in a nasty voice, “You smell funny!” and nudged me off the bed with her leg.

I got up off the floor, realizing she’d been asleep the entire time and didn’t hear a word of my prayer.

But God heard.

The King’s Castle

February 7, 2014.Reading time 2 minutes.

As a dad, it’s hard to know if the lessons you are trying to impart on your children are sinking in. At those teachable moments, when I have an opportunity to set an example, I always wonder if they are watching. Did they pay attention? Did that really sink in – not surface level but heart-deep? Case in point, Mrs. P is out of town with the oldest two, which leaves me driving the 9.4 mind-numbing miles to school for a few days. Yesterday I had only the 13 year-old with me for a few miles. As we discussed the Friday schedule, it dawned on her that she would have a couple of hours at home alone. I let that sink in because only a few years ago, being alone in any room would have terrified her. But she has matured greatly of late, so I didn’t get a look of panic or any reaction at all – just that blank, teenage stare…until, a devious little smile rolled over her face as she declared, “I’m not going to wear pants.”

Of all the things she could do alone, that’s what she chose!

I suppose only the pets will know if she follows through. As for me, I need a tissue <sniff>

I have always said, “A man’s home is his castle and the king can do whatever he wants in his castle.” Mostly I say that to defend something stupid I’ve done at home, but at least one of them is paying attention! <sniff> I couldn’t be prouder.

Happy Friday from Portsong!