Do You Hear What I Hear?

The boys just returned from a great trip to Florida to visit their dad. I know they had a nice time because they were exhausted when they got home but couldn't stop talking about their adventures. During their trip they got some birthday money and promptly spent it on a couple of games each.

Nick apparently chose 2 computer games, appropriately rated for his age. Tate chose 2 games I wouldn't have quickly endorsed. One in particular raised an eyebrow for me. I didn't sleep well last night thinking about how to handle this delicate situation. No mom wants to rain on a kid's parade the first hour he gets home from a 2-week absence!! (And no one really wants to upset Tate...) And for a short time, the enemy had me convinced we were headed for long, hard "growing up years" with the youngest one. (How quickly we can walk into that mind trap, huh?)

This morning over pancakes we ended up in a conversation about being a follower of Christ. The Father lovingly opened the door to talk about the game. I didn't mention it specifically but I did talk about how we have the Holy Spirit to help us make hard decisions -- especially when our human feelings tell us something different. We talked about choices we have to make, what we fill our time and mind with, etc.

Nick expressed he knew the computer games he bought were okay and that he doesn't even want the other stuff any longer. Tate thought for a moment and then responded, "That must have been what it was...As soon as I bought that game I felt like it was the wrong decision." I nearly burst out into tears with joy and love for our King! How amazing that He would hear my burdened heart and just simply offer opportunities to address tough situations, all the while having already started a work in that tiny believing heart. Oh, He is so faithful when we listen to his voice!

Tate agreed we would put the game on the "shelf" for a while and choose other things right now. He is learning to "hear" with his spiritual ears when the Holy Spirit speaks to him. I just can't wait to see what God does with these two guys!!!!!