Happy

It seems fitting that this morning I read about the first mention of the name Asher in the Bible. Asher means happy. Our youngest took on that name at his birth and it has been true of his life thus far! Yesterday we conversed about his naptime, or lack there of. And this is what my littlest man had to say, " mother, I do not take naps, I do not take rests. But I do take kisses!"  Who can argue with that? Isn't that just pure, sound reasoning? How could this be? This son of mine, the one I named, has lived out his name so definitely?  I am blessed! It is through great humility that I also see how God named my other children. There are the two oldest. The ones whose feet now fill my boots.   We discovered this by default, because in this household often times things are lost and so we find replacements! So Caleb is my first born, and 18 days he will enter a new phase of his life,  inching into manhood before I am ready. But what I see is unmistakable manliness.  I swallow hard, with every sign of maturity. It's what we all hope for, and when it comes there is letting go even when you want to hold on. Always my responsible one, he is brave and courageous, his name written on his heart. So things will change. But, just as it is said about him in the Bible, I pray he will hold onto the convictions of his heart no matter what he faces in his God-ordained days. Defending his faith and putting me to shame with all of historical and sporty knowledge is what he lives for!  The apple did not fall far from the tree  with this one.  Caleb is the mini me of his father. Quietly passionate but by far the fiercest hugger I know! The last thing Papa Kenny said to him before he passed away was, " keep playing that trumpet Caleb!"  I wonder, when I hear that trumpet sound vibrating from his lips, if he isn't spurred on by that exhortation echoing in his heart. Will one day my son sound a trumpet before His King with a saintly familiar face smiling on?
Micah means "unto the Lord". He is our protective, second child. The prophet Micah delivered the message that we are to "seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God".  Do you know what it is like to watch scripture unfold before your eyes? I swear to you now that this boy who wraps his arms around me and randomly gives me love taps , whose coat I pull on because of His now manly girth, charismatically draws the attention of those around him. Remember the root word there is "charis". Meaning good-will, loving kindness.  Humble and compassionate, Micah, is determined to be the next Bear Grills, survivalist, and has built his own "fort" with the help of his siblings and companions nearby the creek that is at the descent of our backyard. He's everything outdoors, breathing in the air that brings him life just like he inhales God's life-giving words, believing in his heart that man does not live by bread alone. What will become of these boys to men?