That was not random, I promise.
My little Einstein Junior's birthday is next week, and his grammy sent him a birthday box. I have rapidly learned that grammys can't send birthday boxes and NOT include some stuff unwrapped to be enjoyed right away. One of the immediate gifts was a helicopter puzzle. There were actually two puzzles, and put together they made two 3-D whirlybirds.
"Should I go fight in Asia? I heard there was a battle over there and I think I could help with my helicopters."
Um, no. Never. Uh-uh. Not on your life. Not in my lifetime, anyway.
Wait, but from the time my son was born until this very moment, I thought I was a very spiritually mature mother. I knew that God was only lending EJ to me for a short time, and one day, He would finish his mansion and EJ would go to Heaven. I knew this so well, that I had determined at the outset to love him like today was the last day I would see him, talk to him like that conversation would be our last.
I also have strong feelings about the capable males in our country serving in the military, even knowing the staggering casualties during wartime. I have to say, though, last year when my friend was planning to go overseas, I seriously reconsidered those thoughts. And while I do love the friend who is currently over there (you know, brother-in-Christ and all that), I don't love him the same way that I love my little boy. :-)
Did I want to say yes to his innocent question? It's not like he was actually going to go fight overseas. It was just in his imagination. But my selfishness stepped in and loudly proclaimed to him, "No!"
He is so sweet. He patted my arm and told me that he had "anit-killing" clothes on and he would be protected. He said his neck was the only part of him exposed, but he was going to put a wide neck brace on so no bullets could get through.
Okay, anit-killing clothes and a neck brace. I said, "Okay, you can go to Asia to fight, but be careful."
He took his helicopters, one in each hand, and whir-whir-whir-ed his way down the hall. A minute later he came back and said that they lost the battle in Asia, but I shouldn't be afraid because we already know that Jesus wins the war.
You know, I really hope Jesus comes back before EJ is of legal military age. Everyone else I don't know can be unselfish; I don't want to be. But if He doesn't, and he wants to join the military and go off fighting somewhere for real, I'll just have to come back to this post and remember how spiritually mature I'm supposed to be about these things. But until then, I don't even know how those mothers do it. They are heroes, too.