“Wittle prawers”

Being a parent is such a blessing…..and a wonderful responsibility too. For those of you who have children, I’m sure that you agree. It is so amazing how much they look to us for inspiration and direction. As much as they may or may not say it or we may or may not think it, we really are their role models. I can remember several occasions in their short lives where I have said to myself, “Wow, there’s my little boy”, or “Wow, there’s my little girl”. All it took was for them to enjoy the same show I enjoyed as a kid, or the same music that I enjoyed growing up. If you’ve read my other posts you’ll know that I grew up listening to 80’s hair bands. Poison, Skid Row, Warrant…….the list goes on. I was so excited to be able to take my oldest son Zachary to his first concert several years ago at the Bricktown ballpark. It was Def Leppard and he loved it. “POUR SOME SUGAR ON ME”, he still loves that song. He plays that more than any other song on Guitar Hero, and it’s something that we get to enjoy together.  About that same time, he got involved in one of my all time favorite TV shows……..The Dukes of Hazard. Man, how we would love to have a General Lee, but who wouldn’t, right? Looking back I actually wish I would’ve named my boys Bo and Luke…….just kidding, well maybe.

But it doesn’t stop there; they don’t just pick up on your interests. They pick up on your behavior and habits as well. Up until a year and a half ago I smoked a pack of cigarettes a day. There were several reasons that I quit, but looking back I’m so glad I did because now me and my kids enjoy the same freedom of not being around it. If they smoke when they are older, I want it to be because they made the decision to do it, not because I had made it an integral part of their lives.

I can see my love in them, I can see my anger in them, and I can even see my fears in them. Not that I didn’t realize my role as their father before, but my walk with God has definitely helped me see the true impact that I have on their lives. It’s helped me realize, that in a world where there are so many things that can drag them down, I need to be the person that shows them how to steer away from those very things. I have to lead them by example and show them how to make wise decisions. And when I mess up, because I will, I have to show them how to take responsibility for my actions and even more importantly how to learn from them. I have to show them how to have faith and have a relationship with God.

It’s become an awesome tradition at our house for us all to sit and pray with each other before going to bed every night. I’ve found that by praying together it reveals a lot about our heart for each other, feelings that we may not otherwise express. When I pray, and thank the lord for my three kids, it gives them encouragement. And when they pray for me, it gives me encouragement as well. The four of us have gained so much in our journey towards him. Probably one of the biggest blessings that we have gained is the wonderful relationships, the people that we now have in our lives to live life with.

My daughter Brooklynn (4) often complains about the length of my prayers. “That was a wong prawer daddy!” I normally just explain to her how I had so much to talk to Him about, so much that I wanted to thank him for. Last night Brooklynn told her first long prayer…….and it melted my heart. I had the biggest smile on my face the entire time, and had to fight to hold back the tears. “Thank you Lord for daddy and his best fwiend. Thank you Lord for bubba and his best fwiend. Thank you Lord for Jacob and his best fwiend…….” It went on for about 3 or 4 minutes and the entire time she was thanking Him for all the wonderful people that we now have in our lives. It was beautiful! It was an awesome reminder that God can direct their path through my obedience. Rather than giving into her complaints of my long prayers, I could stick to my guns and his, and watch her blossom into a long prayer giver too. J

Thank you again to my LifeChurch and Damascus peeps, as well as my family and friends. You guys have been a wonderful light on me and my family. Thank you Lord, for your mercy and grace, and all the wonderful blessings you have provided.

Brian Crosson