Posted by Matt Markins in 
Many days of the week, our house is the hub for all boy activity on our street. Most of the time we love it because we get to see, hear, smell (not always pleasant), and experience the lives our sons up front and personal. Sometimes, the drama gets a little thick.
It was a Wednesday afternoon. Supper was on the stove and I hadn’t been home long. My son (a kindergartner) and three of his early elementary friends were sword fighting and pillow fighting all over the house. Many tears were shed. By the time one guy had just dried up his tears over a banged up wrist, the other was crying due to a pillow to the eyes. Egos were bruised and the pecking order was at stake. Eventually the drama got so thick, that I had to step in.
“Boys,” I said “Remember how God’s Word says to treat others how you would like to be treated?” They replied with an under-enthused “yea.” “Well you guys really need to remember that in the way you are treating one another right now…” I went on to say “If you are going to sword fight and pillow fight, you gotta know that at some point you are going to get hurt, so get your crying out and move on because you are all going to get hurt at some point.” They understood.
Minutes later another outbreak was occurring and all of the younger boys began to turn on the oldest boy because he had crossed the line one too many times in instigating trouble. Realizing that he, as the oldest in the gang, was loosing their loyalty and his place in the pecking order, he leaned over to one of the younger guys and said to him “You need to respect your elders.”
I lost it! I had to run to the other room as to not show him I was laughing. Isn’t it funny how a child will use “the Bible” in any way possible as long as it leverages him to a better position. So funny!
I think we do that sometimes, too. I was recently “re-reminded” of a wonderful passage of scripture by Mark McPeak that says “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3,4
Be Encouraged!
