Bad Mommy

Today I was sitting at the computer scrolling through Facebook but not really paying attention.  My shy guy, who's five, was sitting at the table, playing with his dinosaur.  It's called a Switch and Go Dino and if you haven't been blessed enough to own one, it is somewhat like a Transformer, only simpler to convert, and can either be a T. Rex or a race car, with a few loud "tough guy" phrases thrown in for good measure.  In my opinion it was a whole lot cooler in the commercial, but he seems to think it's fun. 

Today he plays the part of a T. Rex and he's picking fights with my votive holder and a box of crayons.  My little guy loves to talk tough so I think that's why he likes this toy so much.  "NO ONE CAN ROAR LOUDER THAN ME!", and "COWER IN FEAR!", the T. Rex roars.  I turned and smiled at him as I watched him play awhile.  (Is there anything more fun than watching your kids play when they don't know you're paying any attention?  Or am I just creepy maybe?)
As I turn back to the computer, I hear the next phrase from the Dino:  "OBEY YOUR KING!"  But what happened next brought me back to reality.  Instead of hearing  my Mr. Tough Guy roar it back loudly, he paused a moment.  Then I heard him very clearly and quietly say, "Never.  My king is Jesus.  I only obey HIM."
Wow.  I turned and looked at him in amazement.  The look on his face was solemn, and somewhat troubled.  Uh oh.  Instantly I went into "Mommy Mode",  explaining that T. Rex was called the "king of the dinosaurs", and that his toy was talking to the other inferior dinosaurs and not to my son.

This has stuck with me all day today.  I am so proud of my preschooler, standing up for what he believes in.  I wish you could have heard the authority in his voice!  I gotta say though, the more I think about the situation, the more I question MY action.  I wish I had not rushed in to explain why the toy said what he said.  The reality is that our dying world would love to drag all of us down with it.  As astounded as I am at the simple thing my son did at such a young age, I know from my own experiences that there will come a time when he is grown that he will have to stand up for what he believes in.  There are always people, especially teachers, who think that God is passe, and that he can be quickly explained away.  If you are not strong in your faith, knowing what you believe and with scriptural backing, you will quickly and hopelessly be pulled down.  I do not want him to become accustomed to just simply accepting someone else's explanation.  Because I was afraid of hurt feelings, I explained away a great teachable moment.  Ugh.

Bad Mommy.