Rock Star

It is amazing how much raising little boys is teaching ME. This week's lesson came from my dear son, Caden.

We meet with a group of families twice a month for a bible study. There are 6 families and over 15 kids and 75% of them are boys. Each time we meet it is testosterone overload. Caden always picks the biggest or oldest kid in the group to pal around with. Last night he and the other boy (we will call Him Bobby) were picking on a third boy (we will call him Mikey), while my other son, Logan watched. We had heard through the grapevine that there was some name calling involved.

On our way home, I asked the boys what happened. Logan immediately volunteered that Caden and his friend were calling someone names. Caden said that the Mikey wanted to play cars with them and they did not want to share, so they called Mikey names instead.

As a child I had no self esteem and was bullied often. For my son to be using this behavior was unacceptable. I was livid. After much discussion on what he should have done, and more discussion with Logan on how he should have encouraged everyone to get along, prayers of confession and an apology given, the issue for Caden and Logan has been put behind them.

But for me, I can't let it go. Not so much that Caden called a kid names or that Logan watched. They are children that have to learn right from wrong. What I struggle with most is Caden's reason WHY he did those things. When asked why he was mean to the Mikey, he said "I wanted to be a rock star."

I will wait a moment while you finish laughing, because on the surface it is very funny, but let me break it down for you.

My son associates the older child, the co-offender in this story, as a "rock star". He is the cool kid, the "in" crowd, the kid everyone wants to be friends with. But, is he the kindest child, the loving child, the one that builds his friend up? Maybe, but this did not happen last night. Obviously Caden loves being the center of attention and wants to be accepted (don't we all) and Bobby is Caden's example of that.

So I ask myself: Who is my "rock star"? Who do I try to impress or seek out because they are part of an acceptable crowd? Who do my children see me call names (like the idiot you cuts me off in traffic) or make fun of (did you see how short her skirt was, that hair cut, etc.)?

Over the last year God has been working on me about where I place my security. Why do I care what anyone thinks but Him? Why can't I be fearless for Christ? How am I wasting my life concerned with being liked by others? Am I loving others at all times? Lifting them up? Loving them in the name of Christ?

So tonight I close with who is your "ROCK STAR" and why?