Yeah, Justin.
Everybody should have a Justin. A kindred spirit similar to thy own self. That is my boy. I am really blessed.
Last night at youth group...we were sharing about supporting each other. Lifting each other up...and my boy states, with sincere innocence, “African Americans.....they stick together”.
It is an observation, it was innocent, and I think with Justin's experience, to him it was very true. In no way was it slanderous, hateful, or bigoted.
Now...it is my observation, that today's children have definitely grown to be ethnically tolerant of each other. Maybe that is how it has always been. Perhaps children have bigotry passed from their parents, not necessarily a “gift” from God. But, I do perceive bigotry on a decline.
Back to Justin.
He was a great baby. Always happy and joyful. My wife, while she was changing his diaper, would put her face close to his, hold his little hands affectionately and in this doting voice say,”Justy”. Justin would smile and laugh hysterically.
Justin...has turned out to be a big Winnie the Pooh. He was my lollipop child...I always called him that....and still today..he has those tendencies. Is he a normal boy? Yeah. I dread the teenage years...I see his hormones are swelling now. But I also do believe his essence of sweetness will never be far away.
So...today I still grab him...pull him close...and call out “Justy”. But you know what the neatest thing of all is...he pulls back, always, and says,”I Love You, Dad.”
Oh...hey....read this cool article...I traced down...from a link to the Internet Monk. It is about how religious people screw up their kids.
http://www.internetmonk.com/messup.html