Behind the Mask

As Halloween looms, visions of masks and costumes and disguises dance in the mind.

And I think of my boys.

A writing friend of mine recently posted here about her quandary over Halloween costumes for ‘tween girls. As I read her words, I considered how easy it is to be fooled by a costume.

And I thought of my boys.

I’ve prayed for their future wives since they were babes in arms. Today I look around and continue to pray that they’ll value most what they see on the inside, not the outside.

My eldest son has a gem of a wife. It’s clear that the Lord put them together, and she is such a blessing. But there are three more boys to go!

As moms, how do we model values like looking on the inside?

• We talk about those who are beautiful and loving on the inside, regardless of the outward appearance.
  
  
• We comment on the same as we watch movies and television together.
  
  
• We compliment our sons on their hearts and minds, not on their looks.
  
  
• We enlist our husbands’ help, since boys put so much store by what Dad values.

And we pray.

For the love of boys,

Laura

Boys and the Flu

Well, it's been quite a week.

Those Swine Flu statistics become very personal when one (or more) of your sons is involved.

That's what happened to me this week.

We sent the youngest off to visit his brother at college last weekend. Sunday night, the college brother came down with what the clinic said was likely Swine Flu. His roommate and his brother both had to move out of the room, and Son #3 was in isolation for the rest of his brother's visit.

Our oldest son visited the campus and even spoke at the church both attended on Sunday morning, so as they all ate lunch together, they shared fellowship and, apparently, germs.

Our college boy weathered the flu pretty well -- only three days in isolation but midterms to make up! The youngest came home and hasn't exhibited any symptoms yet. The oldest called Tuesday to let us know he'd been "swined" as well. He's now on the mend.

Then came the call from the one son who couldn't be with the other boys last weekend. He had traveled to a wedding with three other guys...one of which now has Swine Flu. So, Son #2 was also exposed last weekend, too. So far, no signs of the flu.

I always wanted them to share, but this is ridiculous!

It's been a week of Tamiflu and Tylenol, phone calls and prayer.

It's so hard to be away from your kids when they're sick, no matter how old they are.

My rest came as I remembered that the One who made them, loves them even more than I do.

For the love of boys,

Laura

In The Spirit of Columbus Day -- Go Exploring!

Today we celebrate Christopher Columbus who, in 1492, sailed the ocean blue. Although some controversy still surrounds the celebration of a day named after him (more here), he’s a significant historical figure because of his love of discovery.

Regardless of Columbus’ flaws and foibles, one can’t deny that he lived for exploration. He began his seagoing life at fourteen, was shipwrecked and swam to an island, and continued to push the envelope of his time.

I look at many boys today and wonder if they know the joy of discovery, if they’ve ever built a fort or climbed a tree or caught tadpoles. The thrill of exploration may not take your boys across the ocean, but it can certainly get them out from behind the television and the video games.

And they need that! So today, when they get home from school, turn off the TV. Chase them outdoors—in fact, go with them—and discover something new. If you have a copy of The Dangerous Book for Boys, take it along.

As Hal and Conn Iggulden write in the forward to their book, “In this age of video games and cell phones, there must still be a place for knots, tree houses, and stories of incredible courage.”

Celebrate that today!

For the love of boys,

Laura