My son wore a bow tie to his 4th grade graduation this afternoon.

Okay ----- do we really need a graduation from Lower School? A good friend reminded me when I asked this question that is important for us to help our children mark those milestone moments in their lives. I am good with that, yet I still wonder if this type event just feeds the whole "notice me" world that we live in. Are we encouraging our young people to believe that it is "all about them" rather than speaking the truth that it is ALL about the sovereign God of the universe? Better save this whole thought process for another blog and get off of this rabbit trail. :-)

Anyway -- my husband and I thought our son looked quite sharp. Khaki pants, blue oxford button down and a festive bow tie. Apparantly his fellow 4th graders did not share our opinion. He told me after the reception that many of the boys told him he looked "gay." What is that about? Where do these kids get that?

As sad as I was that he had gone through that experience, I was thrilled that the bow tie remained in its spot around his neck. He did not let them discourage him from being unique. It also allowed us to have a cool conversation about when people make fun of others it just shows that they are not happy with themselves. Now, whether he truly understands that truth remains to be seen.

I pray that experiences like these will teach him to be an encourager. I'm sure he will make the bad choice to "tease" someone else (other than his sister which we already know will happen), yet I pray we can continue to help him be the young man that God would have him be. I pray for God to provide him with true friends who like him for his character qualities. And I pray he will be a true friend to others.

Another day we will tackle the "all about me" syndrome that we are encouraging in our kids (and in ourselves).