Rocky the class bear

"Mommy maybe today I will be the star student." Maybe baby, but if not, there is always next week. This was mine and Ashers conversation EVERY Friday, for about the last two months. So this Friday as we walked, he was excited in anticipation of who would be star student. As I walked to my car, I pleaded with Jesus, will you please grant my son the desires of his heart.

See, Noah doesn't care about the title of star student,  all he wanted was the privilege of taking "Rocky" (the class bear) home for the weekend. I have to be honest every Friday, when I go to pick him up and the door flies open with another child holding Rocky, my heart breaks.  Knowing how desperately he wanted that bear and would need to wait another week.

Three weeks ago, I told my husband, I hope this is the week. He said "hon, its teaching him Patience and waiting on the Lord for his time." I said " Really its just a bear, I hope she isn't going in alphabetical order." And that my friends is why he is a better parent than I :/....  I think is teaching me something too!

Friday, I waited outside Noah's class for him to come out. Before the door even had a chance to open, through the tinted glass I saw nothing but a huge smile behind a big ol fur ball. I know that smile. And so it was before the door had the opportunity to open, he was already telling it to the world he was the star student.

Finally Lord... Thank you Jesus,  You have answered even the smallest prayer. So here is the deal, Rocky is supposed to hang out with the family for the weekend, and you are to document all you did with him and take pictures. Driving home , I glanced through the rear view mirror taking notice of the three "bears" in the back seat and I had to laugh. Here is what I was thinking. First, I hope this bear was washed, cuzz he has been around a few houses. Next how can this bear be a teachable moment to our family. And the best you ready.... wait for it..... I wasn't going to be home most of the weekend so, daddy had the luxury of carting this big old bear around. I could not have planned it better.

Noah took to rocky like immediately, it was actually quite odd how much he "REALLY" took care of this guy. He wanted to dress it, feed it, sing to it, and I have to admit I almost bought into this thing almost being a real visitor. I was gone like ALL day Saturday, and daddy had planned before he knew about the visitor to take the kids to a movie and lunch. When I told him he HAD to take Rocky, he looked at me and said "of all weekends, really?" To comfort him I said " Its Gods, perfect timing." Boom! Take that Holiness homie!

Daddy was so perfect, taking them all to the movies and lunch in. the. RAIN! He even used an umbrella and said he knocked a few people trying to get them all seated in the theater. Dads were staring at him, and one even gave him the " Brother, I feel you nod." Hahah Actually I give him BIG props, because I would have left rocky in the car, seriously!

Movies - Wreak it Ralph

This morning, as I was strapping Noah in the car to leave for church, glancing over to Rocky sitting next to him, the Lord spoke. Here was our conversation...

"Noah, do you know what Rocky is?"
"Yes a bear"
"Yes but since Rocky is not staying with us he is a visitor, do you know what we do when we have visitors stay with us?"
(blank stares from both kids)
"um, sleep with them, mommy?"
"Um ok that would be fornication" (what I thought) but what I really said was.... "Son when you have a visitor stay at your house, you host them. You serve them, you feed them, clothe them if they need clothes, you give them blankets to sleep, you ask them if they want something to drink. You serve them."
" Oh and take them to the movies to?"
"Sure, you make sure to put their needs before yours, and when they leave, you thank God that you had the opportunity to serve them."

Tonight as we were laying the boys down for bed. I asked Noah what God taught him about having Rocky in our home. He said, " I learned to serve." I asked him, "why do we serve?" He said "because we love people." I said "why do we love people?" he said "because we have Jesus in our heart."

WOW.. Really? Friends it is that simple.. Seriously we sometimes complicate the gospel and how we are to live and love, but it is just that simple.

Yesterday I was with a group of ladies, and we talked about the very same thing about loving our neighbors and service! The Lord could have not timed it any more perfect to have our little furry friend come visit. You see Rocky became more than just the classroom bear , he became a teachable tool, God used for our family about serving and loving our neighbor..

Here are a few photos that were captured this weekend.