My youngest son Ethan (2 yrs) has become attached to his toy sword. It goes everywhere with him and he even sleeps with it. Yesterday morning I went in to wake the boys and he was sat up in bed pretending to sharpen his sword ready for any action the day may throw at him. With two older brothers I don't blame him for arming himself throughout the day, afterall he could get jumped at any time, he is the smallest so its good to see him think strategically about how to get the upper hand. He is the family's military tactician!
Here are some reasons why I love to see Ethan arming himself for battle:
- In Genesis 2 we see that Adam was formed in a wilderness and then later placed into the garden of Eden. He was formed in the untamed part of creation. The core of a man's heart is undomesticated. Ethan doesn't come alive when he's having to tidy up toys or learning to count... but put a sword in his hand and his whole persona changes... He's the man!
- Ex 15 v3 describes the Lord as a warrior. He is also the 'Lion of Judah'. Ethan is made in God's image.
- He is not a girl
- My favourite line from Braveheart is 'All men die, few men ever really live." Albert Schweitzer said "The tragedy of life is what dies inside a man while he lives." Soon Ethan will start 'taming lessons' - sorry I meant school- where the classroom can sometimes emasculate boys with quietness, stillness, niceness and making flowers being the order of the day.*
- Owning a sword comes with great responsibility: He is learning that he can't just go and attack an unsuspecting sibling; he is learning how to honour and respect his sister... and defend her; he is learning how to defend himself.
- He nearly lost his finger playing with my saw- so its good to start with a blunt instrument first and work your way up. One day he will have his own swiss army knife!!!
- Every boy and man is a warrior inside. But the choice to fight is his own. Every man must have a cause to which he is devoted to (even to death) for this is written into his very being. God has created Ethan to be his intimate ally, to join him on His great mission.
Ha ha love it. All boys should sleep with a sword. Loved what you said about being a man, a warrior, undomesticated and untamed. Have just read a book called The Barbarian Way by Erwin Raphael McManus. Reckon it would be right up your street after reading your blog. Mike
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