Bad Choices

I was cooking breakfast--in my jammies--this morning and our neighbor came walking in the driveway. I told Eli to go get John--who was fully dressed--so he could talk to him. Brent came in and asked John if anyone had been running around our house and making all kinds of noise at 2 this morning, because some children had been wreaking havoc in the neighborhood. John said he hadn't heard anyone, and my stomach clenched. You see, Eli had a friend overnight last night and this is the exact thing they would find hilarious.
John kept talking, and invited Brent upstairs--remember me in my jammies, yikes--and kept talking. When John took Brent in to show him the great room progress, I called Eli into my bedroom and did the confrontation thang. Yep, it was him and his friend that did the deed. I am thankful that I have children who "fess up" when they are caught, and to his credit he did right away. I had him go into the great room and apologize to Brent. Then I made the chore list. I figure, you have enough energy to run around and make noise at 2am, you have enough to do some projects around the house, right? Ah, youth.
Now it is nearing the dinner hour after which Eli will be trotting off to bed. Very soonly after.
Ahhh, early bedtimes for said youth.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds. Because we know that the testing of our faith develops perserverence. --James 1:2-3