I'm Here!

Jacob is my best helper. I tell him that all the time because it is true. He picks up things that fall, runs and gets things we forget and helps me with his baby sister. Recently, he helped her get on his tricycle...by lifting her by her NECK.

As much as he loves helping me, he loves helping his Daddy even more. If it involves trucks, tools, dirt or grease, he is all in. One of his all time fave things to help with is cutting the grass. We have a huge yard, a little over three acres, so we have a riding mower to get the job done. Jacob would gladly sit on Tony's lap and ride along for as long as Tony will let him, a mixture of pride and contentment across his happy face.

This summer has been so hot and sticky it's not been the best weather for Tony and our little hot potato to ride together. Put them together and someone is likely to spontaneously combust, unless of course the sweat pouring from every pore doesn't extinguish it first. The other day Tony had just a little bit of grass left to cut and wanted to get it done quickly and without his helper making the heat even worse. I told Jacob he could stay outside only if he stayed in the garage. He could watch daddy from the garage, but he was not to leave it. [I once saw a Rescue 911 (remember that show??) where a kid got run over with a lawn mower, so thats why he was confined to the garage and far away from the mower blades.]

A few minutes after I gave my instructions I stepped out into the garage to check on Jacob. He was standing at the very edge of the garage peeking out at Tony who was driving by on the mower. Then, be still my heart, the small angel gave his dad a little wave. Just a little, "Hi, I'm here!" I'd give anything to have had my video camera in my hand for that sweet moment. With every fiber of his 30 pound body he wanted to run out to his dad and help him, to be a part of the manly work, to be near his dad simply because there is no one in this world he admires more. But he obeyed.

From his vantage point, Tony also saw the little wave and he melted. Suddenly, the unbearably hot afternoon just wasn't that hot. He motioned for Jacob to come and with a smile so big it stretched completely across his face, Jacob ran as fast as he could to his spot on his Daddy's lap.

My Heavenly Father gives me instructions and requires my obedience just as I do with my son,  and like Jacob, many times every fiber of my being wants to do the opposite. Doing right, might not always be easy, but it always fills my heart with joy and stretches a smile completely across my face.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is just and right.

    ²Honor your father and your mother--this is the first commandment with a promise--

    ³That all may be well with you and that you may

live long on the earth.

Ephesians 6:1-3

I'm all grown up and it still applies!