Jayden, the Warrior
A sandy-haired boy with deep ocean blue eyes and a strong stature, coyly sits. He reminds me of a young David in the Bible; fearless, handsome, and loveable. His emotions dangle off his sleeves as he lives his life in extremes. Hate and love are often on his lips… as he either disdains something or can’t imagine life without it. This boy, a warrior at heart, filled with passion and emotion is my son, Jayden.
God Has Heard
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.
Jeremiah 1:5
Jayden means “God has heard”; even as his life was being formed in the womb… God already had a plan for Jayden. Filling his life with prayer, preparing his heart for sacrifice from the very moment of conception. His older sister spent a month in the NICU, and our first child died in a miscarriage. We fully realized the frailty of life and were unwilling to depend on our own strength to help protect, lead and guide this child. So prayer was essential from beginning of his purposeful life.
This did not make his life free from hardships. I have watched him dart in front of a truck, as my blood-curdling scream tried to stop him, yet instead of him stopping it was the truck that stopped on a dime. It was only by God’s grace he was saved. God’s hand of mercy has always been on this child’s life, protecting Jayden and revealing His goodness and faithfulness.
But certainly God has heard; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer.
Psalm 66:19
Fighter
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Fear can limit us, restricting us from the greater purpose God has for us. Jayden is not absent from being shy and withdrawn, there are times he’d rather not be around people. Yet, when there is a cause, a reason to rise above his fears he is the first person you want fighting in your court. No matter the size of the opponent he will be a blockade to protect another emotionally and physically.
His bravery and loyalty, causes me to step back, as I am constantly granted opportunities to learn and grow myself. Bravery is something Jayden seeks and lives out. It did not surprise me that he came home one day from Vacation Bible School quoting Joshua 1:9 as though it was a proclamation on how he wanted to live.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
Sees the Value in Others
Value: the regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something.
When we look at another do we see their value and worth? Do people take precedence over things; does quality time spent mean more than the newest gadget? Sometimes our actions portray a different story than what we desire, or what we hope we are living out. Kids offer their genuine reactions, and I am so thankful that Jayden places value on people over things.
A pair of yellow socks
One season I was in a crocheting mood, anything from blankets that took months… to hats with beards was coming off the Mom assembly line… JJ was on my heart, so I asked him if he would like me to make him anything.
He looked at me with innocence in his eyes, “Could I have a pair of yellow socks?” Out of everything he could have asked. Yellow socks were at the top of his list. This touched my heart. A simple skein of yellow yarn was able to make JJ something of importance because he saw it as such. From that day on JJ could be seen proudly displaying his favorite colored yellow socks for all to see.
Jayden not only showed appreciation but reminded me of a valuable lesson… that I was of value. My time was a treasure to him more than any large gift I could send his way. God used a simple pair of yellow socks to help him feel of value and me. Sometimes we go through the grind and press forward, forgetting our worth and the hearts we impact.
I will always be amazed by the uniqueness of each child, and the irreplaceable value they bring to the family. Every day, Jayden is a reminder to me of God’s love, loyalty, and faithfulness. When I look at Jayden, I smile as his bold words ring through my head. “I am not afraid because God is with me.” I pray that I can walk as boldly in this truth as my five-year-old son.
JJ’s Song
God, you can go in my heart because you are God,
and you know where I go because you are God.
You can save me from my sins because you are God.
I can’t keep up with you because you are God.
I love God, and He loves me.
