Bringing up three boys affords me the opportunity to make lots of mistakes and learn much from them. This evening I was on my way to performing one of the bravest manly acts known in history: taking the trash out. In my rush to face the consequences of walking out into the dark, cold Pensacola evening, a little voice came from the back: “Daddy, I want to help.” Now, I can finish my duty with speediness or I can allow my little boy to slow me down and prolong the agony of walking a few hundred feet to my back yard. It’s then when my cheerful and brilliant wife speaks up: “If you don’t allow him to help now he will not want to help later.” Quick and to the point. It is better to allow them to serve joyfully and willingly now, then to have them serve miserably and forcefully later. Boys need to practice diaconal work. Encourage them to serve with gladness by giving them room to serve.
