Little boys are born with an adventurous spirit! Our young boys search for answers on how to translate their personal manhood into a viable and productive reality in a culture that is guilty of misrepresenting their calling. As parents, we are seeking other role models than the secular similes that are readily available for our sons to emulate. These “hero” images are not giving clear instruction against evil and worldly attitudes, but are actually encouraging them!
Little boys want heroes who take risks and slay dragons. The fact that we can’t keep a weapon whittled out of a stick from their hands tells us our knights-in-the-making dream of being daring conquerors. They sense the need to become strong…the champions of good over evil…defenders of the Universe!
Strength is often misunderstood. Pride and bullies are the result of the world’s view. As moms we desperately need a Godly worldview and a path into the “wild” heart of our little man. “The only way to live in this adventure…with all its danger and unpredictability and immensely high stakes…is an ongoing, intimate relationship with God.” (John Eldredge) Humility is the natural response of being in the presence of God. It is the qualifier for receiving grace. James 4: 6
I love the animated film “Charlotte’s Web”. The whole premise is outrageous, yet the characters represent exactly what real strength is. It comes from the heart of a tiny insect…Charlotte, the spider. She single-handedly saves the life of a pig, destined for slaughter, with vocabulary words of genuine strength. Humble was the word that turned the heart and mind of the farmer and a whole community!
Humility is seeing the contrast between God’s holiness and our sinfulness! Humility provides the critical, fundamental heart for any other character quality. Without humility any other character quality is worthless! There is no pride in humility. Humility recognizes that God and others are responsible for any achievement in our life. Real success is investing in the lives of others and seeing them succeed. Humility seeks forgiveness and lives life for others, experiencing the joy of God.
Sir Timothy illustrates the character quality of Humility. His anger and pride find him alone and afraid, encountering unimaginable danger and wishing he had never fled from the safety of the castle! Young Sir Timothy learns a life-lesson that not only brings him back to the castle but into the heart of his family.
We hope Sir Timothy will encourage and inspire your little knight as you teach him to live triumphantly by walking in humility. I Peter 5: 5
~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America. Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California. My passion is discipling and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights.
