« How fish see God! | Main | Why don't we see THIS on the liberal news? »

July 19, 2005

Toilet Training

A few months ago, I decided that our older boys, Seth (8) and Jared (6), were old enough to learn to clean the bathrooms. When I announced they were going to learn a new responsibility and that it was cleaning the bathroom they were EXCITED!! Quite seriously, they really were . . . because it means they matter, that I trust them, and they are helping to care for our home.
Well, today I had them clean the bathrooms. Jared realizes this is an on-going responsibility and says (not in defiance, just observing), "Momma, it seems like we just cleaned the bathrooms a few days ago."
"Yep, you did. But just like the laundry and the dishes, bathrooms continue to get dirty and need to be cleaned!"
With a "wow, I didn't realize . . ." look on his face he trotted off to join Seth in the Pirate Bathroom (yep it does look like a pirate ship complete with a ships wheel!) and fulfil his responsibility.
A few minutes later he appeared in the kitchen, and states as a matter of fact, "Momma, I think I can clean that toilet." To this point he's only cleaned the counters and floor while Seth does the toilet.
"Yes, JJ, I think you can." I agreed.
"I CAN?!" he said a little surprised.
"Sure you can. Next time you guys clean the bathrooms I'll show you how."
As he excitedly ran off, "Seth, Momma said next time we clean the bathrooms I get to clean the toilet!"

Although this was cute, and it made me smile because he was so excited to clean the toilet, at the core it warmed my heart because in a very small way he was glorifying God by demonstrating his male nature to dominate and subdue. As Michael Pearl stated in his excellent article "Jumping Ship (part 2)" . . .

Boys/Men were created by God to exercise dominion and to subdue.

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:26-28). See also Psalm 8:1-6 and Hebrews 2:7-8.

According to the passages above, it is in the very nature of the male to rule in power and glory. It is God’s nature to subdue and exercise dominion, and he put that same nature into man. A man or a boy who does not seek to conquer, rule, and subdue is outside the will of God. Many mothers have never figured this one out. It is especially troublesome where a family has birthed and raised three sweet girls before they ever have a son. Mother naturally expects him to be like the girls in personality and temperament. If she tries to force him into the subdued, sensitive role, she will meet with failure, either because he rebels and tries to conquer her, which is his nature, or because she is actually successful in turning him into a sissy, in which case she is the bigger failure.

I'm thankful my 6 year old son wants to conquer cleaning the toilet, and that the Lord has given me the wisdom to see that quality developing in his character. Boys MUST be allowed to be boys the way God designed them to be, to dominate and subdue. Otherwise they will be sissy's and not glorify the Holy One who made them.

Posted by Vanessa at July 19, 2005 11:42 PM

Comments

Post a comment




Remember Me?