Walt Larimore - Lintball Leos Not-So-Stupid Questions About Your Body

Ouch! That hurts, cried a tiny, mysterious voice from the piece of bellybutton lint Steve held between his fingers. You want a piece of me?

Im not afraid of you!

Steve hurried to his desk and picked up the magnifying glass he used to examine bugs. He looked carefully at the talking piece of lint that was now yelling like a squashed cat. Steve released his pinching grip and the piece of lint brushed himself off, fixed his hair, and fluffed out the finger squeeze marks from his stomach.

Who are you? asked Steve.

Im Lintball Leo, at your service, Leo answered taking a bow.

Wow, a talking piece of lint. I must be dreaming, said Steve.

This is no dream. Here. Ill pinch you. Leo tried to pinch Steves hand, but his fingers were so small that Steve didnt feel a thing.

Did you feel that? asked Leo.

Not wanting to be impolite, Steve said, That was some pinch. I guess Im not dreaming after all.

Leo flexed his muscles. I work out and eat only good, nutritious stuff. Gotta stay strong, you know.

How long have you been living in my belly button? Steve asked.

Oh, Ive been around for a few years now. Sometimes when you tried to clean your bellybutton, you knocked me down to other parts of your body, Leo told Steve. I visited your feet once, and while it was nice to see my relatives who live down between your toes, I think Id rather live in your bellybutton.

UhI have things living between my toes? asked Steve, looking a little nervous.

Relax, Steve. Its no big deal. All guys have a little extra dirt here and there. Hey! Ive been most everywhere on your body, and Im becoming an expert in boy-body anatomy. Ill be hanging around until you reach puberty. Then you wont need me anymore and Ill find another boys bellybutton to call home.

Puberty, said Steve. Ive heard that word before. Can you tell me what it means?

Jesus grew instature, and in faror with God and men.

Luke 2:52

No problem. Leo drew himself up to his full fluffy height. Puberty sounds like a strange word, but its something that happens to all people. Puberty happens when young bodies start to change and maturefrom boys into men, from girls into women.

Steve had a look of horror on his face.

Whats with the face? Dont panic! Puberty doesnt mean youre going to start shaving next week. It just means that most people begin to change into adults somewhere between the ages of nine and fifteen. And it doesnt happen all at once. Puberty can last anywhere from two to four years.

That long? asked Steve.

Ah, it goes fast. Especially when you start thinking about girls.

Steve blushed bright red. Puberty can be a pretty confusing time, Leo said.

But it helps if you remember its all part of growing up. God made your body and this is the way he wants it to workso dont sweat it.

What if I dont want to go through puberty? asks Steve.

Unfortunately, thats not an option, Leo sighed.

When the time is right for you, it will just happen.

Then, youll become a man. Thats the good news.

How old are you? Steve tried to get a better look at Leo. Are you older than dirt?

G rowing up isnt easy to do. It would be less complicated if there were a training manual telling you what to expect throughout puberty. But we dont have a manual, and even if we did, everybody grows at a different pace and in a different way. Get smart by finding an older male you can talk to. The best person would be your dad. If hes not available, consider a youth pastor or counselor at your school. Ask very specific questions about growing up. Listen carefully to the answers. Then ask God to help you.

Very funny, Steve. Let me give you some advice. Ive been here and there over the years, and Ive seen the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Now youre talking about girls, Steve joked.

Hey, another funny one. No, Im not talking about girls. Im talking about boys and how puberty affects them.

Steve looked worried. Will this puberty thing hurt? I mean should I wear a helmet?

With that Lintball Leo rolled up into a ball and began laughing hysterically. A helmet! Thats very funny! Ha ha ha

Uh, Mr. Leo, when you get through laughing, do you think I could ask you some questions about my body? Steve asked. Ive been too embarrassed to ask my parents or teachers. What do you say? Could you help me out?

Why certainly, said Lintball Leo. But youll have to promise that youll stop calling me Mr. Leo. (Whispering.) That makes me sound so old. Please, just call me Lintball.

OK, Lintball, Ill do that, Steve said with a smile.

So shoot, Steve? You can ask me anything.