From Wit’s End

Jack likes to sit down at the computer and “bype” different letters out. Today he freaked us out a little bit by typing “TAC” and saying “cat!” Whoa.

While Rachel and I were out watching a movie this evening, Jack apparently made his first pun — at the age of two and a quarter, no less:

My folks were watching him this evening, and they were playing in the backyard with Jack’s favorite ball. Everytime it was kicked or thrown, Jack would squeal delightedly. My mom told him that he was screaming, and that of course that was okay to do outside. After some more ball-playing, Jack would squeal and then yell, “Ah! SCREAM!” everytime the ball was kicked.

Then Grandpa kicked the ball and Jack squealed and yelled, “Ah! Scream!” and then he rolled his eyes and grinned real wide like Groucho Marx and said, “…AND CAKE!”

It is a rare morning that a random song doesn’t pop into my head as soon as I’m conscious. This morning, after another rough night with Jack, a certain song popped in, the lyrics of which are below:

Answer by Sarah McLachlan

iTunes Link

I will be the answer

at the end of the line

I will be there for you

while you take the time

In the burning of uncertainty

I will be your solid ground

I will hold the balance

if you can’t look down

If it takes my whole life

I won’t break I won’t bend

It’ll all be worth it

worth it in the end

Cause I can only tell you what I know

that I need you in my life

When the stars have all gone out

you’ll still be burning so bright

Cast me gently into morning

For the night has been unkind

Take me to a place so holy

That I can wash this from my mind

The memory of choosing not to fight

If it takes a whole life

I won’t break I won’t bend

It’ll all be worth it

worth it in the end

Cause I can only tell you what I know

That I need you in my life

And when the stars have all burned out

You’ll still be burning so bright

Cast me gently into morning

for the night has been unkind

In the darkness of early morning, is this a dialogue between parent and child? Between a man and his God? Between Father and Son? It works any of those ways, if you ask me.

And then on the way into work, the sermon CD I was listening to happened to be based on this text, in part:

“Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; … in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;” — 2 Corinthians 6:4-6

When I got to work this morning, I had to listen to the song above before I could even think about doing anything else. My memories of the night before and my meditation on the scripture above mingled with the song, and sanctified the times of darkness and restlessness with my son like nothing else could.

Here we are, where the dog chases the boy who chases the guineas who chase the dad who chases the boy who runs down the driveway.