In case you didn't know, Iron Man aka Caden turned 4 on Sunday. Yep, my first born is officially a pre-schooler. With mixed emotions, ranging from sad to joyful, I planned my fourth birthday celebration for this little man.
Caden has a minor obsession with super heroes. If you ask him who he is, most likely he will say Iron Man and at times, when dressed in normal clothing, he responds Tony Stark. He will also tell you that daddy is Captain Americup (yes, he says "cup" for "ca"), mommy is Black Widow and Brynna is Super Baby. It's super cute!
I had an amazing time thinking of how to make Caden's party super fun! Of course, Pinterest was my number one helper!
I wanted Caden to really enjoy his party. I wanted to embrace the things I love so much about him...his creativity, the way he plays with such imagination, his energy and spunk, and his super social nature. I won't bore you with all the details of the party...only the pictures.
When relaying the details of the party to a friend recently, she commented, "All boys want to save the world!" This got me thinking....why do all boys want to save the world? Is it because they know the world needs saving? Or maybe because being made in the image of an almighty God, they want to restore and save just like Him?
Well, whatever the reason for wanting to save the world, I hope to use the idea of a super hero to describe our ultimate super hero. I want Caden to know that there is one who heals all wounds, one who can crush the enemy, one who will rescue those of us who chose Him from certain death...and that is Jesus. I hope one day to describe this hero and all that He comes to offer and I pray Caden accepts this hero as the HERO...our Savior.
Caden,
My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my
commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many
years and bring you peace and prosperity.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind
them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will
win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean
not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make
your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord
and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and
nourishment to your bones.
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first
fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and
your vats will brim over with new wine.
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and
do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a
father the son he delights in.
My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out
of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace
your neck.
Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. When
you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be
sweet.
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is
due, when it is in your power to act.
Do not say to your neighbor,
“Come
back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
when you already have it with you.
Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who
lives trustfully near you.
Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
when they
have done you no harm.
Do not envy the violent or
choose any of their ways.
For the Lord detests the perverse, but takes the
upright into his confidence.
The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but
he blesses the home of the righteous.
(Excerpts from Proverbs 3, NIV)
