With this in mind, I think she was kind of worried about the lack of “motherly” guidance when she left for Christmas 2 days before me to go spend some time with her family. Our two oldest boys and myself stayed behind so I could preach on Sunday. We joined them in Dallas on Sunday night. When she left that Friday morning she reminded us to “have fun, be careful and call if you need anything.” For those who don’t know what that means, I’ll translate: “have fun, be careful and call if you need anything” actually means, “Don’t let the cat in the house and don’t break any of my stuff.”
I had big plans for the weekend. I envisioned a male bonding, bachelor-type weekend with me and the two oldest boys. So as soon as mom left the two boys came in and asked, “What are we going to do this weekend?” I just smiled and said, “Boys, it’s time we do some man stuff.” They looked a little confused so I continued. “We need to lay down a few ground rules for the weekend. You boys obviously don’t understand the finer points of a male-bonding weekend, so allow me to explain. Rule number one: Toilet seats are to remain in the raised position all weekend. Rule number two: All hand towels and little fancy soaps are legal to use any time. And number three: no glasses this weekend. We drink straight from the milk carton, all weekend. But,” I reminded them, “The blue milk carton is mine. Stay out of it because I don’t want any of your ‘boy kooties.’”
Parker shot back quickly, “Does mom know about this?” Then Taylor added, “And why are we doing these things, Dad?”
“It’s because we can, boys, it’s because we can!” I said.
We had a great weekend. Nothing got broke, but I won’t promise the cat didn’t sneak in. But you know, “because we can” might be all right for a fun boys weekend at home, but as a general rule in life or in my walk with God “because we can” isn’t the best rule to live by. “Because we can” is not a permission slip to indulge ourselves at the expense of others. Instead, God has asked us to live a certain way for our own good that will make Him proud. Words that come to mind that make Him proud are words like fairness, integrity, compassion, consideration and generosity, just to name a few. Our goal in life isn’t “because we can,” but whatever pleases our Father. “My will is to do the will of my Father,” Jesus said. And that should be our will/goal too.
I am a Christian husband and father, who moonlights as the minister for the church of Christ in Childress, Texas. My wife Lea and I have been married for 22 years. We are doing our best to raise our 4 boys, who are all growing up way too fast.
Hey Trey, just saw your comment on my dad’s blog and followed it on over.
Sounds like a great weekend.
Would you mind passing on Bruce’s email to me. If you don’t want to post it, my email is tkqrush@aol.com
God bless you guys in Childress.
Tim,
Hope you guys are well. Thanks for your hard work in Mexico. You guys are my heroes. You can catch Bruce at bruanda2@aol.com
Trey, thanks so much. I don’t think I’ve talked with Bruce in 3-5 years. Very Excited!
Tim,
Bruce will be excited to talk to you. Much has changed in his life over the past 3-5 years. I’ll let him tell you, but I’ll just say God has blessed him “children” wise. Have a great week.
Trey
Hello Bro. Trey!
This is the first time I’ve been at this site. Yet, I wished to comment on your weekend with your sons tale.
You gave your wife a lot of credit in the raising of your sons, keeping them on schedule, making certain they were where they need to be and when, and instilling in them personal disciplines. Yet, while I’m certain you meant no disrespect for your wife when you gave your two oldest sons the “new rules” for the weekend, still what you did was undermine all of your wife’s previous teachings and disciplines.
What you said, in so many words, was: It is okay not to remember your Mother’s teachings. Just simply disregard them. Just because we can.
Even though you did not consider it, and subtle as it was, the lesson you taught will be remember for the rest of their lives: My Dad said it was okay not to remember Mother’s teachings.
I did the very same thing once with my daughters. I will regret it for the rest of my life.
Agape
Pilgrim,
I appreciate your thoughts. It’s a good reminder for me to be careful not to undermind what my wife has taught my boys. I appreciate your concern and I will be careful, but thankfully the boys and my wife took the whole thing pretty “tongue and cheek.”
Please stop back by again anytime.
Trey
This is funny! And it proves my suspicions…remind me to hook up the camcorder the next time I leave.
Paula … you make me smile. I think my wife has thought the same thing a few times. Just not sure she really wants to know all that goes on. ha
Trey