Change The World

In our house music is loved and appreciated, but I have to admit that some of today's popular music isn't kid-friendly.  I have a 7-year-old boy who loves to read everything, asks questions about everything . . . and listens to lyrics in songs and will ask what they mean.  There are quite a few songs out there with lyrics that I don't particularly want any of my children to hear (much less understand).  For this reason, while driving around in the minivan I try to listen to music that is positive.  One of my favorite singers is Britt Nicole.  She has a lot of positive songs that are upbeat and fun--Kaitlyn can dance to them and the boys can enjoy them  . . . and my Logan can listen to the lyrics and hear nothing bad.  We were listening to her today and a song came on called "Still That Girl."

Here is the chorus:

You were young, you were free
And you dared to believe
You could be the girl
Who could change the world
Then your life took a turn
And you fell, and it hurt
But you're still that girl
And you're gonna change this world
Woh oh oh oh oh oh
You're still that girl
You're still that girl
Woh oh oh oh oh oh
You're still that girl
You're still that girl

From the back of the minivan I heard Logan's voice say, "Can this song be for boys, too?"  I looked at him in the rearview mirror and said, "What do you mean?"  He said, "Changing the world?  It says, 'You're still that girl and you're gonna change this world.' What if you're a boy and you want to change the world?"  I said, "Boys can change the world too, bubby."  He said, "I'm gonna be that boy who can change the world." 

I pulled into the school drop off line and as we waited I said, "Logan, I don't know what you're going to be when you grow up, but I can tell you with complete faith and honesty that I know you are going to be some one great and you ARE going change this world."  His smile was so big that it lit up the minivan.  He said, "Mom, everyone could change the world if they'd just do their part.  Grown ups could start with being nicer to each other.  Why don't they care about each other?  And we can give and help people.  There is so much to do."  We pulled up a little farther in the line and he said, "Maybe when I grow up I need to work with grown ups and teach them how to be nice to each other.  The world would be a better place if grown ups acted the way they tell us kids to act."  

All I could do was smile.  We made it to the front of the line and he opened the door to hop out of the van.  I said, "Have a good day, bubby.  Listen to your teacher, make good choices, and be a friend!"  He said, "I will, Mama!  I'm going to make some one happy today."  

This kid blows my mind sometimes.  No, he isn't perfect.  He has moments where he cries when he doesn't get his way and he asks for toys and candy and things just like other kids--he has spent time in the time out spot, had privileges taken away for bad behavior--he IS a normal kid, but he is an emotional kid and he cares about people. He is a boy who thinks A LOT and feels A LOT and sees A LOT going on around him. What he said really stuck with me because he's right.  Grown ups say one thing and then go gossip about people behind their backs, they think they are better than others, we take instead of giving and we beat each other down instead of lifting each other up.  

So, grown ups, have YOU made some one happy today?  What are you doing to change the world?  

I have no doubt that this boy is destined to do great things and I can't wait to see what the future holds for him!