Little Wolf Pup

We are raising little wolf pups, and a lot of people don’t understand. This is Robby, and this is his favorite shirt. He is a warrior. He has the fiercest heart, the strongest spirit, and the kindest soul. As parents, we encourage him to Be You. Even if that goes against many customs of our society. He is expected to sit still, listen and obey. To follow a path that has already been paved. Instead, he aspires to run wild, explore, learn, ask questions, teach others, fight injustice, challenge the norm, and live freely. I don’t think anyone should try to change him. He is a child of God, and he was designed specifically by the Creator of the universe. He has a purpose in this world, and he was made to fulfill it. The man that he will grow into is a powerful leader. We teach him to embrace his instincts and fight for good. He will protect those that he feels are in need. He experiences empathy to the point of tears with an animal from a movie, or a new child met in passing. Robby’s intentions are pure beyond measure. He says what he feels and speaks truth from his soul.

This can make people uncomfortable. This can make situations awkward. But I try to continually embrace it. I believe that we can learn from children – and we should. My kids are a gift from God and they teach me in ways no one else can. The growth I’ve experienced in Robby’s five years with us has been unmatched by the twenty five years without him. He is my opposite. I am submissive, timid, and afraid of confrontation. I am reserved and quiet. I worry and get anxious, and sometimes disappoint myself by caring what people think. I get frustrated and act out of fear. I praise God for sending me this child. As moms, we want to feel good about ourselves and our ability to raise our offspring. We want to find pride in the fact that it all comes naturally. Some days I have no idea how to handle Robby. But I give it to God. I know that he chose me because I am well equipped to guide my son through this life. I already have everything it takes. In my weakness, God makes me strong. This young leader was birthed from my body. So no matter what people say or how they treat him, I will be standing right there, cheering him on.

I will fight for him and make a way for him. Because I see the light inside. I see him approach strangers and make them laugh out loud with a joke he just made up. I see him unexpectedly hug the lady in line with us at the gas station. I see him kneel down to connect with every dog he comes in contact with. I see him captivate an entire group of adults with an animated and articulate story. I see him take the hand of an unsure toddler at the park. I see him carry on genuine conversation with a homeless man on the sidewalk. I see him. When random people insist on paying for our meal at a restaurant because our kids are so lovable. When the lady at Dave & Busters uses her tickets to buy Robby the robot toy his dad said we can’t get. When the owner of the country store we happened to stop in on a road trip gives Robby an engraved souvenir for free. When Robby tells the cashier that he’ll be back later with more money for a remote control car he liked and she puts it in the bag with a smile. I could literally go on and on. When you operate under God’s will, you receive a different level of blessings. I’m honored to witness his encounters with God’s people. I understand his future is great. The growing pains and bumps along the way are leading to an ultimate destination of fulfilling his God-given purpose. He may get in trouble for acting out at school, but he lives without compromising his spirit. I have to fight my urges to contain him, or quiet him. To try and make him fit a mold. He feels things I don’t feel and understands things I never will. He was made to stand out and I’m so thankful for that. At the end of a long day, where he struggles to find a balance between the expectations of a public school system and the energetic, strong minded, fearless nature within his heart, I just strive to be a safe place where he can receive love and understanding from the woman who cares for him more than anyone else.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14. I ask God to remove my expectations and help me know that His plan is so much better. I may not have a son who never questions authority or expresses his disagreement with the rules, but I have a young leader who will change the world and bring others with him. I ask for guidance to teach Robby the foundations of God’s Word, and help sharpen the skills that he naturally possesses. I ask for an open mind to let things be revealed to me from the mouth of a child. I thank God for the blessed opportunity of this journey. I may stumble and I may hesitate, but I am not in control. May our child flourish in God’s sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. May he have the power to be himself in a world that doesn’t accept those who are different. It’s okay baby, God created you to make a way for those to come.