My son Isaiah is right on the cusp of turning 6 years old, just on the brink of claiming a new number, a larger number as it pertains to his age and stature in life (as a kindergartner). And this morning, as he’s in the habit of doing, he dazzled and amazed me with his intellectual antics once again. This time he spouted full of joy and excitement, “Dad! I now know the Fifty Nifty States!” He had my attention…yes…that means I looked up from my phone.
“Well then, let’s hear it,” I replied. I said this with a sorta proud, sorta puffy, and yet at the same time sorta doubtful arrogance. He then proceeded to sing the song in its entirety. Mind you he’s five. He’s nearing six, but not quite there. This is the same kid who sits down at the piano and says, “Dad, I learned how to play Come Thou Fount” simply matching the sound each key creates to the song imbedded in his mysterious little mind. That’s right…he sang a song to me that required not only the knowledge of the 50 states, but the ability to recall each one in alphabetical order.
I can name like 10.
And no, they won’t be in alphabetical order.
I sat there on the couch, my mind racing, swirling around in a mixture of pride, surprise, covetousness, and reflection. I started thinking, “What would happen if I (too bad I can’t capitalize a capital letter…guess I could just change the font size)…I applied myself, attempted to unlocked the potential stored away in my own mind, my own ability, my own gifting…what would happen? At 5 years old my son challenges me like no one else I know, like nothing else I know. I look at him and see what I COULD be.
The difference?
I’m THINKING about it.
He’s DOING it.
I’m CONSIDERING it.
He’s MAKING it happen.
What about you? What are some of things you’ve WANTED to do, but have never quite found that push, that nudge, that thing that motivated you beyond thought and moved you into ACTION?
I’m not tired of dreaming, I’m just tired of my dreams remaining just that…dreams.
I love you son.
I’m proud of you.
You make me want to be a better man.
“Well then, let’s hear it,” I replied. I said this with a sorta proud, sorta puffy, and yet at the same time sorta doubtful arrogance. He then proceeded to sing the song in its entirety. Mind you he’s five. He’s nearing six, but not quite there. This is the same kid who sits down at the piano and says, “Dad, I learned how to play Come Thou Fount” simply matching the sound each key creates to the song imbedded in his mysterious little mind. That’s right…he sang a song to me that required not only the knowledge of the 50 states, but the ability to recall each one in alphabetical order.
I can name like 10.
And no, they won’t be in alphabetical order.
I sat there on the couch, my mind racing, swirling around in a mixture of pride, surprise, covetousness, and reflection. I started thinking, “What would happen if I (too bad I can’t capitalize a capital letter…guess I could just change the font size)…I applied myself, attempted to unlocked the potential stored away in my own mind, my own ability, my own gifting…what would happen? At 5 years old my son challenges me like no one else I know, like nothing else I know. I look at him and see what I COULD be.
The difference?
I’m THINKING about it.
He’s DOING it.
I’m CONSIDERING it.
He’s MAKING it happen.
What about you? What are some of things you’ve WANTED to do, but have never quite found that push, that nudge, that thing that motivated you beyond thought and moved you into ACTION?
I’m not tired of dreaming, I’m just tired of my dreams remaining just that…dreams.
I love you son.
I’m proud of you.
You make me want to be a better man.
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