Adrenaline. In my opinion we don’t have enough of it. In us. Around us. From us. I feel like the world I live in is constipated when I think it should be high voltage and uncorked. It must be something in the Lyle DNA because what I value within myself in this thirst for high octane living, I weary of quickly in my soon-to-be-six-year-old son. Case in point: Amy and the kids took me to lunch yesterday and we decided to go to a local buffet. I was assigned the eventful task of ushering Landon back to our table with his plate full of chicken legs and black-eyed-peas.
As we waited for Alicia and Amy to finish getting their own food and meet us at the table, Landon declared his need to relieve himself. He declared it loudly enough that several patrons smirked (high octane speaking volume is part of the male Lyle DNA package). The girls had not returned to the table so we left our food there while he and I graced the bathroom with our presence. I’ll skip the antics he displayed at the urinal but suffice it to say that Landon regards the public restroom as a place of analysis and declaration. If the man sitting in the stall was open to learning something new that day, he did. Anyhoo…as we made our way out of the restroom and started toward the table, my son did the unprecedented in the long history of six year old boys:
He declared with unparalleled decibels, “FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD!” and sprinted toward the table past fellow diners, wait staff and busboys. Twenty seconds later when a temporary calm came back to the restaurant, Landon requested the honor of praying over the meal. It was a sweet prayer at an appropriate sound level until he decided to finish with flair by declaring in a stadium-loud roar, “AAAMMMMEEENNN!”
We were getting the most out of our all-you-can-eat $7.99 price tag. The other customers were pondering the value of their own that’s-about-all-I-can-stand price tag. As responsible parents, Amy and I kept looking down at our food and avoiding any eye contact with both the offender and the offended. Great effort was expended in repressing our laughter at such an entertaining little son. Landon attacked his black eyed peas in furious fashion while Alicia shook her head in pity. That’s what I call a family meal.
I wrote all of that to ask a leading question for this Friday: What excites you? What makes you want to run at full tilt, screaming ” __________, GLORIOUS ____________ !” What makes you aware of your inner octane?
Answer below or me and Landon are going to pitch a tent in your backyard tonight.
One word: Grace.
Grace, glorious grace. Nothing greater, nothing finer.
Oh Jeff,
I can relate. I raised two boys. I am sure though that I was not as gentle as you. Jeff, do enjoy…they grow up so quickly and when they are grown up you’ll say, “what happened. He was a baby yesterday”. That enthusiasm for life and exploring and the wonderment of it all….even it was a restaurant rest room. If people around had an inkling of what they were witnessing I am sure they had a pang of ” remember when!” I am sure that if the patrons of the restaurant had not heard the prayer….they heard the AAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMEEEEEEEEEEN!
i think it would have been great to hear the sincere pray offerred by a 5+ youngster who is learning how to love the Lord. You are blessed. Enjoy.
Jeff, I got word yesterday afternoon of Amy and her Mother’s accident. Please know that they and you and the children as well as Amy’s dad are in the prayers of so many. We prayed in the night, when were awakened for the break that many of we olders have. I have sketchy details but what I know was passed on. May our blessed Heavenly Father continue to comfort all of you. You all are loved.
By the way, I loved the blog about you and your Dad. I know that you have made up for lost time
in the love and admiration shown him.
God Bless you my dear Pastor and friend.
We love you so very much.
Elmer and Ann