We have a wonderful spot near our house that is just referred to as "the woods". My boys have had many an exploit behind our house amongst the trees that are left there after the tornado. They've attempted constructing an electric fence (a few batteries may have gotten pulverized in the process). They've formed various clubs. They've dug for worms and for treasure. They've made furniture out of logs and leaves. And they've had interesting conversations with the neighbor kids. They've discussed the gospel with some. The identity of Santa with others. And yes, they are still learning to speak the Truth in love.
Today, they had a conversation about laws.
According to one neighbor, there is a law in our city that says you can't carry a shovel to your hideout.
Sam aptly stated that "there's a law for a lot of crazy things nowadays". Because sometimes he talks like an eighty-year-old man.
He then told this particular neighbor that in some places, it's even legal for men to marry other men.
He is not aware of the hot debate going on right now for this to be legal in our state.
The neighbor friend said some stuff about how people should be allowed to marry whomever they want and that it really wasn't his business.
The boys told this neighbor that it wasn't about it being or not being their business. It was about the fact that the Bible says it is wrong.
The neighbor: "Well it doesn't say that in my Bible!"
Caleb then ran to the house asking for a Bible and if Daddy could find him the verses that said this was wrong.
He went out with Romans 1:24-27 marked.
Yikes.
After reading this to the neighbor, the response was, "Oh."
I loved that they went straight to the Word. They didn't come in and "tattle", asking us what they should do - they grabbed the source of Truth.
I realized that we are now, more than ever, so responsible for equipping our children to wield the Sword of Truth and for encouraging them to speak the Truth boldly. Not just for the future, when they're older, or when they're challenged in college, but right now. For those everyday moments out in the woods.
Reading a little further in this passage in Romans, I am reminded about why our family has been called to homeschool.
"Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done." Romans 1:28
His Word still stands as the absolute authority. The bottom line Truth. The Sword that cuts through Satan's deceptions. It is a daily challenge for us as parents to equip our children to retain the knowledge of God, but what a powerful, mighty tool, and one of the best gifts we can give to our children.
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