Gained in Translation

One morning last week, Jadon and I were learning Spanish together, and we ended with listening to some Spanish praise songs, including "Eres Todopoderoso" ("You Are Almighty") and "Yo Le Alabo de Corazón" ("I Praise You with My Heart").  I commented on how most praise songs refer to God in the familiar "Tú," while a few refer to Him in the formal "Usted."  Jadon understood the nuances of why one would refer to God in either sense, for the intimacy of "Tú" and the reverence of "Usted."  Not knowing the answer myself, I asked Jadon, "What do you think God wants us to call Him?"

Jadon's answer showed a lot of insight: "I think God just wants us to TRUST Him.  Saying that you have to say it one way or another makes it like you have to earn His love, like you're working for your salvation."

Daddy Nose Best

Everyone in my family knows that I enjoy demonstrations of physical affection, and sometimes it can lead to rather interesting situations.  The other night, as I was bringing cups of water into the kids' dark rooms, my 7th grader asked me, "Daddy, would you please nose-snuggle me?"

I was pleasantly surprised, as it'd been a long time since I'd done Eskimo kisses with my son.  But with all that's been going around, I said, "Maybe it's better that we not..."  

Then I smiled with mock-accusation, "Plus, you probably put something on your nose."

Turns out I wasn't too far off.

"Yeah," he giggled, "I put a booger there..."