Like Father, Like Son

Ty turned 4 months old, today. I can't believe it. His video and photo shoot will come later, this weekend. For now, I've been thinking a lot about influences. In Ty's lifetime, there will be countless footprints, by countless people, pressed into his heart. One person, already shaping up to reach superhero status, is Ben. His daddy.

We went to Indianapolis, last weekend, to see my longest-running friend, Laura, and her family. We had an absolute blast and enjoyed our first ever family road-trip (with an exception of the 24 hour homecoming ride, with Ty).

We spent a good chunk of Saturday afternoon in downtown Indy, enjoying the sights, catching up with old friends, and listening to continual reminders from a three year old, that she had not and would not forget about the promised esclator ride, on the way back to the car.

We lunched at a quaint, little street deli, Au Bon Pain, and braved the cool temperatures to feed on the patio. It was a bustle of activity as I balanced the tray, ordered our soup (new lunch menus intimidate me), kept Ty quiet, and maneuvered the stroller through tight aisles. I was so focused on what I was doing I never noticed the man who's soup we ended up paying for, upon check out.

Have you ever heard Monk & Neagle's song, 21st Time?

[It's amazing] It starts out:

Nowhere to live,

nowhere to fall

he used to have money,

but he’s wasted it all.

His face is a photograph burned in my mind,

but I pretend not to see him for the twenty-first time

In the course of the day, I saw no less than 10 homeless men on various street ends. It's not that I didn't notice them...I did.

He sleeps under stars,

that’s all he can afford

His blanket's an old coat he’s had since the war

He stands on the corner of Carter and Vine

But I pretend not to see him for the twenty-first time

I saw a wiry, old man holding a "Vet" sign and thought how sad it was that he had served our country so courageously...and was now reduced to collecting coin on the street.

He may be a drifter, he’s grown old and gray

But what if he’s Jesus and I walk away?

I say I’m the body and drink of the wine

but I pretend not to see him for the twenty-first time...

We're standing in the middle of Au Bon Pain and I hear Ben say, "Grab yourself some soup and whatever you need. I got it." I looked up to find a very dirty, disheveled man. Looked to be about 60. He had come in looking for soup samples when my Ben found him.

Later, someone asked, "Did you buy that man's soup?"

Ben answered, "Yeah. He was hungry."

That's it. That's the whole story. Ben didn't sit down and have a major theological discussion with the man or even ask him where he was from. He saw he was hungry....so he fed him. I haven't been able to shake the experience from my mind, all week.

Life as a mom is so different than life not as a mom. Naturally, I want to be a better person for me...but when it comes to Ty, I'm continuosuly evaluating my actions and attitudes. I have been given the gift of shaping little Tyrus into a man - a good, godly man. And I want to do it right. My footsteps need to be sure and strong, if sweet Ty is going to follow in them.

I keep replaying our deli experience for two reasons. First, I never noticed the man. I was so wrapped up in my own life, my own agenda, I didn't see the opportunity within arms reach. I don't want this for Ty. I don't want him to pretent not to see people...

I want him to live God's love out loud.

Is it ever okay for us to walk past homeless men and women on street corners? I understand that we have places to be, shouldn't hand out money, etc, etc. But what if we came prepared when heading to an innercity area?

I thanked Ben for showing such kindness to that man and told him that next time we go into a city we're packing lunches. As Ty grows up, I don't ever want him to pretend not to see...

I want his eyes to be wide open to the pain this world aches...and to know the healing his hands and feet posess. I want him to be generous and kind and non-judging. I want him to walk in the confidence of God and the compassion of Jesus. I want him to look for every opportunity to be love.

I want him to be just like Ben.

Listen to Monk & Neagle's, 21st Time