The Kite

Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still, teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. Proverbs 9:9

Lonny and Logan bought a kite while on vacation. It was bright, nylon, and my guys had dreams of the kite floating steady and strong in the seamless Michigan sky.

Trouble was, they couldn’t get it to fly.

They stood in the shallows of Higgins Lake, the sky open and blue and ready for the taking, and fought with the twisted string of their very high hopes.

I propped myself on my elbows, body snuggled in to the soft, warm sand, and watched their antics. It went on and on. The kite would go up. The kite dove down. I could tell by their postures that it was becoming more about pursuit and less about pleasure.

None of us knew that someone else was watching, too.

Enter one knowledgeable, older man. He left his plot of beach and strode through the crisp, clear waters. He spoke with Lonny and Logan and then worked with the kite. Before long it was soaring high, exceeding even their expectations, appearing to barely move, a small, steady speck above the vast lake. In fact, it was so steady that Logan ended up tethering the kite to a swim marker. The man went back to his picnic. Logan and his dad went deep for a swim. The kite continued to fly, from that pole, all afternoon. Logan eventually pulled it in from a sunset-streaked sky.

That thing just flew and flew.

I decided that there was a powerful lesson in the kite. Logan and Lonny struggled, couldn’t get the kite to work quite right. The older gentleman had more experience, more skill.  Moving the string. Tying a different knot. Small things. But those little things made all the difference. And my guys wouldn’t have known. I think this applies to our walk as believers and followers of Jesus.

Lonny and I have had the benefit and blessing of older, wiser, experienced friends. Our friends have lived longer and experienced more. They’ve also been willing to help us out. To share their wisdom. To pour, without hesitation, into our lives.

As I pray for my five sons, I want to remember to pray for this sort of blessing. That God would provide wise, generous men. Men to help. Men to pray. Men to invest, sharpen, encourage, and teach.

Men who'll give their time and talents to help my boys fly.

WRITING NEWS:

It's been a week of sweet blessing...

"The Great County Fair Bake-Off"', a story of our family's cookie contest, is in August issue of GUIDEPOSTS. (You can also find story on Guideposts' website by clicking on following link...) http://www.guideposts.org/recipes/comfort-food-recipe-county-fair-cookies

"Sea of Mother Love" (Chicken Soup for the Soul: New Moms), about the arrival of our second son, is featured in August 1 issue of WOMAN'S WORLD (available this week)

Thanks for the love and support, precious friends!