My son and I read the Bible together before I ask him to grab his blanket and LEGO car, step on that stool, and climb into bed. I let him pick his favorite story and lately it’s been ‘Jericho.’ But tonight, it was Moses and the Red Sea. We read about that brave man who led all those men and women all that way. And I hold him tight and pray out loud. ”Lord, give Brennan a heart like Moses. Humble him as Moses was humble so he might be great in your eyes.”
I leave the room and he calls for one more kiss. I blow the kiss and catch his and wonder what it would mean for him to become a great man of God.
And yesterday we read Hannah’s prayer for her one boy.
‘My heart rejoices in the LORD;
in the LORD my horn is lifted high…’ 1 Samuel 2
And then Mary’s for her only son.
‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…’Luke 1
Perhaps here is the way to raise a great son–to always raise these hands and this life in praise of a great God.
I pray for Brennan to become great and do great things, but in the dark and quiet moments, the thought scares me. I’ve read Moses’ trials, Samuel’s challenges, and Jesus’ sufferings. These are the great men but their crosses, mostly Christ’s, were great as well. Too much time looking at the cross and the fear of the suffering silences my prayers and I go back to praying small again and expecting less.
I can get lost in the fear. And after a spell of praying little fearful prayers, I find myself again in Hannah’s and Mary’s praise. These women who gave their sons back to the Great God received back all of God’s greatness-right there in the sons they’d given away. As they made much of God, God made much of their boys.
“I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.” And he worshiped the LORD there.” 1 Samuel 1: 27-28
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