Fight for the Girls

For boys, it’s all about girls. Even from a young age. Whether they love ‘em or hate ‘em, they can’t seem to ignore them. My grandsons are no exception. Lately, there’s been an ongoing battle between Gabriel and Ethan. Gabriel (3) wants “No Girls Allowed” posted on the treehouse. Ethan (5), on the other hand, wants just the opposite. He rushed into the kitchen one day asking for paper and a crayon. He plunked down at the table, crayon hovering over his paper, and said, “Grandma, how do you spell, ‘Fight for the Girls?’”

            

Intrigued, I sauntered over and sat beside him. Only days earlier, he’d been on the same page with Gabe, insisting that girls shouldn’t stick their noses in the boys’ business. But apparently, according to Ethan’s mother, Daddy’d had a long talk with him. And that talk made all the difference. One man to another. A guy thing.

             

A powerful and life-changing communication. A father’s words to his son.

            

And now, Ethan was all charged up to protect the girls at any cost. He dashed out the door with his sign and tape. I watched out the kitchen window. After he posted his sign on the treehouse, he rallied the other boy cousins. In a circle, they placed their hands on top of each other, their swords looped on their belts, and shouted, “One, two, three!” Then with arms raised, they yelled, “Fight for the girls!”

            

I couldn’t help but smile. Whatever Daddy told that sweet five-year-old boy must’ve been pretty special. Maybe in some simple, yet profound way his father had taken him to Ephesians 5:25, teaching his son that husbands give up their lives for their wives. Or maybe he’d alluded to 1 Peter 3:7, telling his son that husbands are to honor their wives, be considerate and respectful of them. Whatever he shared changed his son’s attitude and behavior. And that change rippled down through the cousin ranks.  

            

Oh, for more Daddies who will teach their sons to fight for the girls! To stand up and be courageous men of God. I’m so thankful for son-in-laws who desire to train their sons to fight for the girls. Only a week ago, my youngest grandson, Elijah Rivers, entered the world. His father desires him to be a man of God, like Elijah of old, who turns the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the children back to their fathers (Malachi 4:5-6).

             

What precious examples I have in my son-in-laws. May they ever teach their sons to fight for the girls! And may God raise up more men who desire to do the same.