"Hey Mom!!"

I remember having our first baby.  I remember, like it was yesterday, looking in his eyes and wondering who he'd be and what he'd be like.  In fact, I still often do that.  I mean...he's only 3!  And I remember, as he grew older, wondering what his first word would be!  And, like every mom, I tried my darnedest to get him to say "momma" loud and clear!  But, as every baby does (it seems), the first word he uttered was "dada".  Now, I was quick to chalk that up to muscle development and experimenting with consonants. But, as every father does, his declared the baby's first word to be "dada". And, so it stuck.

With our firstborn, I had to wait a grueling year before hearing him say my name.  I'm sure it was trumped by "puppy", "ace" (airplane), and the ever popular "deet deet" (his response to my attempt to get him to say "more please").  It took f.o.r.e.v.e.r. for him to say momma.  But I was patient and I acted like I was happy for his daddy.  But, inside, I was anything but!

As he's grown, I've wondered when the "hey mom" phase would hit.  You know..."hey mom...watch this", "hey mom...did you see that?", "hey mom...the baby's peeing on the carpet!".  Yeah, those "hey moms".  And they came!  Boy did they ever!

And our little smarty pants will not accept direct eye contact as a response to his beckoning.  The response must be "Yes, Tanner".  So, this phrase echoes in the house, car, grocery store, bathroom, back yard and anywhere else he finds a question or statement necessary (which is..everywhere!)

And today I caught myself rolling my eyes as I answered him!  All this time I waited for him to make some sort of communication with me and now I'm rolling my eyes at him?  sheesh...

Makes me wonder what my heavenly Father thinks when I've been beckoning Him for the same thing over and over and over again.  I'm certain that He doesn't roll his eyes at me.  I know that He is patient with me!  I am comforted to know that He is not bothered by my calling His name.  And it makes me want to offer the same comfort to my son(s).

You see, I believe that we set an example for our children of what they should expect from God.  I believe that they will model their view of their heavenly Father after what they see in us.  As humbling and daunting as that task is, I believe it's true.  And I would hate for him to conclude that God is bothered by his questions and wonderings and excitement.

So, as hard as it is some days, when the "hey moms" seem never-ending, I will yield to the Spirit in me and continue to answer with a kind, gentle, excited and expectant "Yes, Son?"  Because I know that's how He answers me when I come to Him with a "hey, God?".