Sperling Central

Mike comes home just in time for dinner, most nights.  He arrives tired and spent from a long day at the office and a long commute.  Often, he manages to chase the boys around the house, tickle them, and listen to them recount their days.  But one night each week, he gets home just in time to wolf down some food and go right back out into the traffic…with Jonathan. They do not return home until well-past bedtime.  They are off to BSF.

Jonathan loves BSF.  It is a Bible study group that meets at a semi-local church.  You have to be in first grade in order to attend the children’s session.  (Ben stays home and has some reading time with Mom.) Jonathan tells us that he loves going, but his actions speak louder than his words.  He gets so excited when it is BSF night.  Jon takes the special “grown up” Bible that Dad got for him (he likes to underline important things in it).  He has recently requested a special folder to keep his papers in and Jonathan says that he has made some friends in his group, too.

But perhaps more notable than the Bible study itself, is Jon’s special time with Dad.  A little-known fact about Jon:  He frequently whistles when he is feeling important.  It is then quite common to hear him whistling a tune while he is finding a sweatshirt or putting his shoes on to get in the car for BSF.  He whistles when he gets a cereal bar to use as a snack on the way home.  And, provided he is still awake, Jonathan whistles on his way to the refrigerator after returning home.  (The boy CAN put away some food.)

Mike enjoys his own time at BSF, too.  He often looks forward to going. But some nights, it is the last thing he wants to do.  Phenomenally, regardless of the kind of work day he has endured or the kind of commute required, by the time he and Jon come home, Mike’s personal connection with Jon has been strengthened and they’ve had some very special time together.  Jonathan feels like a million bucks because he has been singularly important to Daddy for a few hours.  Daddy feels like a million bucks because he has spent some time with one of his biggest and most beloved fans.

The dynamic will change next year when Ben joins them.  There will be new treasures to mine, but some of the riches from this year will seem to have disappeared.  In truth, they won’t be gone.  They will have been invested.

Jon and Dad enjoy a late-night "snack and chat" after BSF.