It's Not About Me..

Soon after Caleb was born, before we made the move back to LA, Benny and I have made the decision to dedicate him. Our Caleb was dedicated in New Jersey, at our old church, by our pastor. Although I had so much mommy emotions going through my head that day, I knew, deep down in my heart, that the dedication was just the beginning. This sacred step in his short life journey did not necessary guarantee him to become a decent human being. A decent human being who has a heart after God, that is.

No, neither I nor Benny wants to shove our belief down his throat. What we long to see is that one day (whether real soon, or real later,) he will make the decision for himself to follow after Jesus' own heart. One of the many familiar phrases we hear all the time is, "Jesus came not to be served, but to serve." In order to teach Caleb to become a humble, selfless, thoughtful person that he was made to be, we as parents have to start him young.

It has been mind boggling for me to think of some creative ways for Caleb to "serve." I want him to have a blast, but learn at the same time (although I am sure in his little head he has yet to grasp this concept to "serve.") If mommies were created to complete impossible tasks, this would be one of them. Everyone knows an average 2-year-old is extremely egocentric. What should I do to have him deny himself for the sake of others?

Well. First, I talked about the coming of Christmas. During Christmas time, there are Christmas trees, and there are presents under the Christmas tree. I took him to Target and showed him the trees (can you believe it, it's not even Thanksgiving!) and showed him Santa. I could see the confusion in his eyes, although it was soon replaced by the joy of seeing an old, bearded "papa." Then we (actually, I) picked out a toy we want to give away for our church's annual Toy Drive, and pumped more excitement into him by enthusiastically telling him, "Look! A toy (a word which he understood) for a friend (another word that he knew.)" He smiled and was willing to help mommy by picking up the box and lifted it into the cart (ok, I did the whole thing.)

The point is this. We cannot expect Caleb (or Abigail, or child number 3, or 4, or 5..) to become something if we don't take the time to mold him into it. We cannot mold him into it when we are not setting that every-day example for him. Who doesn't want to provide their children the best home, purchase the latest gadgets, and collect the finest clothes? I know, however, by doing so they will not and cannot learn the meaning of selflessness. While Caleb may have the privilege to choose whether he wants chicken or pasta for dinner, other children are becoming sick because they have not had clean water to drink for the past 4 weeks.

This coming Christmas would be the first one that will be stored into his memory bank. We want it to be meaningful, to him, and to us. Then, on his wedding day, when he has become that decent, thoughtful, selfless human being we pray him to be, he can look at these pictures on his wedding slide, and be thankful, that he has learn the true meaning to "serve," when he was just 26 months old. And his dad and I would be thankful, and proud.

First, I have to pick out a gift request..

uh-oh..I got distracted.

This is the Christmas gift, for my friend.

Mommy, may I hang this on the tree?