Faith

H:"Austin, can I tell you something? I love God, I love Santa, I love my flambily and I love Money, but do you know who I love the most?"
A:"Who?"
H:"God. You want to know why?"
A:"Why?"
H:"Because he built this world for us to live in."
A:"You know, I think we're going to be true Jedis."
H:"Yes, I think so, too."

A conversation between the boys about 2 minutes ago as they play on the computer. This one makes me happy, well, not the money part, but shamefully, it usually works in that order. Just happy that Flambily came 3rd in the top 4.

We're Catholics. However, you never see us in church. We eat meat on Fridays during lent. My forehead has no ashes on it on Ash Wednesday. We only say Grace before holdiday meals with family. I can't remember ever going to confesion. But Mike and I have a strong sense of faith. We feel closer to God in the outdoors, surrounded by nature. And when I lay next to my children to read to them, I feel it was faith that helped me get there. Faith in God, faith in modern medicine, faith that it would work, faith in Mike and my marriage. We may not be the most visible worshipers, but we never ever lose faith.

So hearing my children so freely talk about God makes me happy. I've never pushed religion on them. However, the only chapter book we have read through more than once is the Children's Bible. By choice we have read through 2 different versions in their entirity, twice each. And when they pray, they always pray for others and not themselves. They always add the sick kids, the hungry kids, and the little kids that need love to the list of flambily and pets and friends to be blessed. Austin plays hide and seek and chess with Jesus. Austin tucks a few of his favorite reads under his pillow at night, and a bible is always one of the pack. Hunter always talks about God and Jesus as if they were good friends. Jesus may be flying a space ship with Hunter in a Star Wars battle one minute, or counting to 30 while Austin is hiding the next.

I love those images they have of God and Jesus. That he is their friend, not something to fear. I've always disliked the term "God Fearing". Why should we fear God? If we're good people, and good to each other, and love and respect one another, what is there to be afraid of? That is what I want my children to grow up with. Be honest, respectful, have love and have faith in your heart. So when I listen to conversations that happen between 2 brothers in their room as they play games together, I sit and just smile. I have faith that Mike and I are on the right path to raising 2 wonderful men.

So pray on, little dudes. Talk to Him like a friend.