Waiting for Matthew

The neighbor boy across the circle is named Matthew. The boys call him little kid Matthew, so as to not confuse him with their Daddy. Little kid Matthew is 8 months older than Hyrum, and therefore already in kindergarten. First thing every morning, right after I'm hungry and can I play outside, I get asked if Matthew is home. The question gets repeated several times throughout the day until finally 3:45 rolls around and their playmate returns from school. One day, a couple weeks ago, Hyrum bundled up in two hooded sweatshirts, found a spot with a good view of the bus stop, and waited there without moving for three hours. THREE HOURS! I've never seen him patiently wait that long for anything... ever!

I have mixed feelings about this little friend of theirs. I think it's great that they are reaching out and socializing. Little kid Matthew is an only child and his mom has said a number of times how glad she is that he's got someone to play with. I want to be the kind of family that other kids feel comfortable around, and I am glad he enjoys the company of my boys. But Little kid Matthew also has some habits I'm not a fan of, and my sweet little boys are not always so sweet after spending time with him. They care more about what he says and does than what they've been taught, and I see their opinions and preferences sway towards this outside influence. It makes my heart sick to realize that the precious period of their lives when their whole world lay within the walls of our home is coming to a close. I dread the day when a hug or kiss from Mom can't fix whatever ails them and Dad's no longer the coolest person they know. I know the day is coming, but I was hoping I could hold it off a little longer.

More than that though, I hope I have and can continue to teach them the solid principles of obedience and honesty and how to choose right over wrong. I hope that at the end of the day, no matter what happens, they always know who loves them most and whose approval matters above all else. I hope they can learn and remember that they are sons of God and that He is who they want most to please.