Monday Memories: Get On The Bus

Tonight, as I put my kids to bed before the debate, I remembered other nights when I let them stay up late to watch something on TV.  But presidential debates are not worth lost sleep in our house.  Being an engaged citizen matters, and I understand that engagement often involves politics.  But I don’t think watching debates will help them become the kind of citizen and neighbor I’d like them to be…

…which reminded me of post I wrote in May, 2011.  Which I decided would be the first installment of Monday Memories, where I re-post a piece from the past.  I write for many reasons.  One of them is because my memory is so bad.  If you want to see how God is moving in your life, it’s helpful to remember what things were like in the past.  So I write.  And then I re-read it later.  On Mondays, I’ll invite you to join me.

From May, 2011…

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We just finished watching the PBS American Experience episode, Freedom Riders. Ezra fell asleep around ten fifteen, but he was riveted until he could no longer keep his eyes open. Zach made it all the way to eleven, shaking his head in disbelief the whole time.

As I watched, all of my anxiety about recent diagnoses for the boys just melted away. I looked over them, curled up with pillow pets and blankies, and knew with absolute clarity that what mattered most is whether they become courageous and loving and righteous. I always know that. But the idols I have made out of test scores and degree attainment often cloud my vision.

At one point, I looked over and asked Zach if he thought he could board the bus knowing that he might be beaten or killed. “Maybe,” he answered after giving it some thought. “They were brave.”

Then he leaned over and threw his arms around me and told me he loved me. I spent the rest of the night praying I would be worthy of that love – in part by raising men who would get on the bus.