The True Superhero Challenge
OH friends! I am giddy over here sharing this with you. Nikki was one of the first people I met in Orlando. Grant and Ella are “going to get married” and we approve of that. Nikki sends me regular texts with scripture and blows me away with her kindness. She’s the most HUMBLE human alive and it was pulling teeth to get her to share just one of these amazing tales and even more teeth to get an identity and photos. She’s a terrific wife, mom of two, student of the Bible and amazing friend.
The True SUPERHERO Challenge:
Making My Little Man into a “Warrior of God”
by Nikki
Ephesians 6:11- Put on the full armor of God so that you can fight…
Anybody else with young sons relate to the revived “Superhero craze” that has reclaimed American boys?! Seriously, my blond-haired, blue-eyed and star stuck little guy has never even seen an “Avengers”, Spiderman, or Batman movie, and still, one of the greatest highlights of his recent 5thbirthday was Superhero PJ sets! I guess the girly Disney Princess phenomena must have a testosterone rival of some sort, right? I mean boys can dream too, can’t they?!
Doesn’t it all boil down to one concept?
Don’t we all need to believe in something?
Something (or someone!) bigger than ourselves, greater than ourselves…that can do all the things we feel we can’t, that has no fear in a very scary world, and that has control over everything when we all feel so out of control most of the time? SO, for my five year old little guy, who at times fears all that, lacks all that, and wants all that at such a young age already, what better than to pretend, to emulate to be Captain America, Spiderman, or Superman!
As a Christian mom, this SUPER-infatuation gives me a true opportunity to introduce God’s word at such an influential and impressionable time in my little man’s life…to present the only true Superhero that exists…God!
I mean, c’mon, moms…someone that we can’t see but is with us all the time,
that protects us from anything and everything we could ever fear,
that gives us strength and wisdom and power,
that is bigger and stronger than anything,
and who is even actually three superheros in one?!
What other being could be bigger, cooler, or more awesome
THAN OUR LORD
to get our little men excited about and challenged to be just like Him!
Now, I’m not saying we should deny our little guys the Superhero paraphernalia that has swept our nation. In contrast, I believe this just gives us a “launching pad” in discussing with our children how incredible, powerful, and awesome God and Jesus Christ truly are. We have a very fun routine that we do with our “man of God to be” each and every night that took on like wildfire when introduced and now we absolutely cannot go one single night without doing it!
We started by asking our son one night if he wanted to become a “Warrior of God”.
Of course, the response was “yes!” (and probably, “Do I get to fight bad guys with a sword or guns?!”). We talked all about how amazing, strong, and powerful God is and that he calls little boys (and girls too!) to be strong warriors for Him against all the “bad guys” in the world.
Then, we opened the bible to Ephesians 6:13-18:
That is why you need to put on God’s full armor. Then…you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the fight, you will still be standing. SO, stand strong, with the belt of truth tied around your waist and the protection of right livingon your chest. On your feet, wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong! And use the shield of faith with which you can stop all the burning arrows of the Evil One. Accept God’s salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times with all kinds of prayers, asking for everything you need. To do this you mustalways be ready and never give up!
For our wide-eyed, hopeful little guy at then four years old, we started with the “shield of faith”. Every night, our small warrior boy will not go to sleep without his “shield” drawn mightily in the air circling above him and his bed…sometimes it’s small, and sometimes it’s huge, circling twice, enveloping his “lamby” and “blankie”, and covering most of the comforter…we just have fun with it. Pick and choose what sticks the most for your little one and run with it from all of God’s armor above! We have now evolved into also incorporating the “helmet of salvation”, “belt of truth”, and “sword of the spirit” in our nightly “warrior prep” before sleep! But I do have to say, this fun nightly routine has given our whole family the gift of learning God’s word, basking in His truth that He will protect us from all evil, and teaching our son that the best Superhero out there calls him to be a “warrior” too…one that can and should “dress himself” up in God’s armor each and every day he lives!
Tell me about your little superhero!
Do you love raising little boys or what?
How have you used this fascination to teach truth?
