Tristan (Revisited)

April is the one year anniversary of the Port Orange Counseling Prayer Circle and Bullets & Butterflies. Bullets & Butterflies is re-posting a few of the posts from 2009, over the next few weeks, to commemorate that anniversary.

Tristan

Although there are many trial marriages... there is no such thing as a trial child. ~Gail Sheehy

As a parent I make mistakes all the time. Raising children is so hard.

At work and other places, when people tell me they hate Church I’ve noticed a phenomenon. Just five minutes into the conversation and about 90% percent start to rant about their parents or someone else who helped raise them.

I’ll politely interrupt and say, “Wait, you started by telling me why you’re mad at God, now you’re talking about your parents ... ”

Often they don’t notice the switch from one to the other. Their concepts of God-the-Father and their parents are completely enmeshed.

+++

The other day I went into my youngest child’s room while he was asleep to pray for him. It’s nearly impossible to pray for my boys when they’re awake. They are usually bouncing off the walls, or the furniture, or our dogs ... literally.

Tristan is such a beautiful boy. His name is Tristan Elliott, which loosely translated means “Turbulent-Servant-of-God.” What kind of man will he be? How will his life, his spiritual life, be different because of me? These are questions I ask myself, about both of my boys, all the time.

Tristan, if you read this someday, I love you so much. Forgive me for my imperfections. You are such a precious child.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).

Parents are imperfect. But, Jesus loves you perfectly. If you are looking for peace and rest, ask Jesus into your heart. He is unique and complete. He picks up the slack where parents fall short. He loves YOU so much, He gave everything for you … Amazing …

Here is a link to a post that mentions my son Lucas Think Jesus. And, still another post about the time Tristan punched Lucas' tooth out ... on request, If I Listen.

... Father, Thank you for children. Remind us that we have a great responsibility to love them, be patient with them, to teach them how to forgive. Guide us. In Jesus name we pray ...

If I Listen

About a month ago my two boys were in the backyard playing. Still warm outside, they were running around the pool, laughing, being boys.

My six-years-old, Lucas, stopped and told his four-year-old brother, Tristan, “I have a loose tooth. Punch it out.”

It might seem improbable that a four-year-old could knock his brother’s tooth out. But Tristan has an orange belt in karate and he knows how to throw a reasonable punch.

Lucas stood still like a soldier, smiling, offering an easy target to his brother. Tristan took aim, let out a little laugh full of excitement, and with his left fist started pounding his brother in the teeth ... They were both laughing.

***

Raising children is hard.

Just when I figure my boys out, they change. They are always getting smarter and learning new tricks. – At the same time, I make a lot of mistakes. I get impatient. I jump to conclusions. I don’t always listen to them when I should. I yell...

One time I yelled at Tristan so loud he looked up at me with tears in his eyes and said, “Daddy you’re making my heart shake.” Talk about feeling like a parent in need of remedial training.

I need God’s help in many areas of my life, but none more than in the area of raising my children. It is an awesome responsibility. I’m not perfect, but I know if I ask, and if I listen, my Father in heaven will guide me.

***

In his bathing suit Lucas walked up to me with a big smile on his face, blood dripping down his chin. “Look Dad!” He stretched out his hand. “I lost another tooth!” Tristan was standing proud by his side.

“You sure did. Let me see it.”

I love those boys so much. As they ran back and did cannonballs into the pool, I shook my head with a grin on my face and thanked God again for being a God of second chances.

Tristan

As a parent I make mistakes all the time. Raising children is so hard.

At work and other places, when people tell me they hate Church I’ve noticed a phenomenon. Just five minutes into the conversation and about 90% percent start to rant about their parents or someone else who helped raise them.

I’ll politely interrupt and say, “Wait, you started by telling me why you’re mad at God, now you’re talking about your parents ... ”

Often they don’t notice the switch from one to the other. Their concepts of God-the-Father and others who have influenced them are completely enmeshed.

+++

The other day I went into my youngest child’s room while he was asleep to pray for him. It’s nearly impossible to pray for my boys when they’re awake. They are usually bouncing off the walls, or the furniture, or our dogs ... literally.

Tristan is such a beautiful boy. His name is Tristan Elliott, which loosely translated means “Turbulent-Servant-of-God.” What kind of man will he be? How will his life, his spiritual life, be different because of me? These are questions I ask myself, about both of my boys, all the time.

Tristan, if you read this someday, I love you so much. Forgive me for my imperfections. You are such a precious child.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).

Parents are imperfect. But, Jesus loves you perfectly. If you are looking for peace and rest, ask Jesus into your heart. He is unique and complete. He picks up the slack where parents fall short. He loves YOU so much, He gave everything for you … Amazing …


"Father, thank you for the gift of Tristan and Lucas. Thank you for the gift of the children in our lives. Father, we so much need Your guiding hand in our lives. Command our spirits to do Your will in the lives of those we have authority over. We pray to You in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus."