Today is Noah’s fourth birthday. (Photos taken on Boxing Day.) He wasn’t overly interested in his presents – not, I think, saintly disinterest in material acquisitions; nor devilish ingratitude; but merely too close a proximity to Christmas – but he was inordinately proud that it was his birthday; that he was ‘the birthday boy!’ ‘Four’ would appear to be a coming-of-age, a passing out of the childish years of ‘being three’ into adulthood. You might be getting a little ahead of yourself there, son. But you’re pointing in the right direction. Certainly he’s more confident in himself, as a person in his own right, as displayed in both more affectionate and more aggressive behaviour.
And when it comes down to it, I think that life – and, indeed eternity – is best about becoming who we have been made to be. I love the hinted-at story of Mark, running through the New Testament. According to Church tradition, the first time we come across him, he is the scaredy-cat, running away from the scene of Jesus’ arrest (Mark 14:51, 52); the second time, he is the cautious-cat, setting off on an adventure with Paul, but running home with his tail between his legs the moment the going gets tough (Acts 12:25; 13:13; 15:36-41); the third time, something has been going on in him, because he’s reconciled with Paul, who praises him (Titus 4:11; oh, and during this time he’s also been Peter’s helper in Rome, and written a Gospel that will help guide the Church for two thousand years and beyond); and the final time we see him is as the lion before the throne of God, growing into his true character (Revelation 4:6-8). Not bad, for a scaredy-cat.
I wonder who my son will become; and what hardships will break and make him. And I pray that I will help him become that person to a greater degree than I oppose him.
family
And when it comes down to it, I think that life – and, indeed eternity – is best about becoming who we have been made to be. I love the hinted-at story of Mark, running through the New Testament. According to Church tradition, the first time we come across him, he is the scaredy-cat, running away from the scene of Jesus’ arrest (Mark 14:51, 52); the second time, he is the cautious-cat, setting off on an adventure with Paul, but running home with his tail between his legs the moment the going gets tough (Acts 12:25; 13:13; 15:36-41); the third time, something has been going on in him, because he’s reconciled with Paul, who praises him (Titus 4:11; oh, and during this time he’s also been Peter’s helper in Rome, and written a Gospel that will help guide the Church for two thousand years and beyond); and the final time we see him is as the lion before the throne of God, growing into his true character (Revelation 4:6-8). Not bad, for a scaredy-cat.
I wonder who my son will become; and what hardships will break and make him. And I pray that I will help him become that person to a greater degree than I oppose him.
family
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