#56 Raising Kids! Thoughts from the Back Deck...
This week, I gathered with a few other parents who, like Michelle and I, face the time when more and more we must practice letting our children go.
For the last 23 years, Michelle and I have poured into the lives of our three children. Letting go (letting them grow up!) is never easy, but the Holy Spirit helps us let go a little at a time. Our children grow from infants to the terrible two's, to the treacherous threes, ferocious fours, finally fives, snarky sixes... and on and on through elementary school, middle school, and the teen years of high school, and we are on that journey with them.
Until that one day when the journey changes. Oh, the journey together continues, but it's a significant change. I remember this vividly. Our daughter was home on Christmas break, and as the semester break neared the end, at the dinner table we sat together at so many times, she absent-mindedly said, "I am looking forward to getting back home."
And that phrase rang in our ears as we realized our daughter was not talking about the home we provided her for many years.
What are we to do? What are we to say?
Maybe simply remembering these words...
"And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." Deuteronomy 6:6-7
To the ones who have or are living through what Michelle and I are experiencing now, please take comfort in knowing that even though you are not there with your adult children, the Holy Spirit, which was a gift to them in their baptism, is still with them today and every day. The gift of baptism never dries out. Never wears off. It never loses its power as it is from God, not about our earthly water application.
To those who are still enjoying the raising of children: Treasure the time! Thank God for the honor of being given the life or lives given into your care. Teach and talk about Jesus and our loving heavenly Father through all stages of your children's lives. You have limited years with your children so this is the most important gift you can give them. Help them to have a complete understanding of God's love and that their identity is based in Christ, not their sexuality, grades, family of origin, or race, and that will give lasting benefits to them and our culture as a whole. Remember, mothers and fathers, you are your children's parents, not their friends! It is a unique relationship established by God. Your children will always need you to be a parent. They can always find friends.
To those that are reading this that have no children, be sure to thank the Lord for your parents and pray that if the time comes that you are blessed with a child in your life, you will do your best to raise them in the knowledge and love of the Lord.
To the parents who have had a child that died. I am sorry. I can't begin to understand the pain and hole in your heart. Jesus weeps with you. This side of heaven, there is no way to make sense of it. May the words of our God bring to your heart what you need. Know that so many of us are here to listen and sit with you and pray with you.
No matter what our life situations are, know that as we sit in our homes, and when we walk by the way, and when we lie down, and when we rise...Jesus is with us always.
Peace out!
Andy
*Sorry for the delay in writing. As most of you know, I have had/ having a series of doctor appointments in addition to just the busyness of being a husband, father, and pastor. I appreciate your prayers. None of us journey alone!
stpaullakeland.org
For the last 23 years, Michelle and I have poured into the lives of our three children. Letting go (letting them grow up!) is never easy, but the Holy Spirit helps us let go a little at a time. Our children grow from infants to the terrible two's, to the treacherous threes, ferocious fours, finally fives, snarky sixes... and on and on through elementary school, middle school, and the teen years of high school, and we are on that journey with them.
Until...
Until that one day when the journey changes. Oh, the journey together continues, but it's a significant change. I remember this vividly. Our daughter was home on Christmas break, and as the semester break neared the end, at the dinner table we sat together at so many times, she absent-mindedly said, "I am looking forward to getting back home."
And that phrase rang in our ears as we realized our daughter was not talking about the home we provided her for many years.
What are we to do? What are we to say?
Maybe simply remembering these words...
"And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." Deuteronomy 6:6-7
To the ones who have or are living through what Michelle and I are experiencing now, please take comfort in knowing that even though you are not there with your adult children, the Holy Spirit, which was a gift to them in their baptism, is still with them today and every day. The gift of baptism never dries out. Never wears off. It never loses its power as it is from God, not about our earthly water application.
To those who are still enjoying the raising of children: Treasure the time! Thank God for the honor of being given the life or lives given into your care. Teach and talk about Jesus and our loving heavenly Father through all stages of your children's lives. You have limited years with your children so this is the most important gift you can give them. Help them to have a complete understanding of God's love and that their identity is based in Christ, not their sexuality, grades, family of origin, or race, and that will give lasting benefits to them and our culture as a whole. Remember, mothers and fathers, you are your children's parents, not their friends! It is a unique relationship established by God. Your children will always need you to be a parent. They can always find friends.
To those that are reading this that have no children, be sure to thank the Lord for your parents and pray that if the time comes that you are blessed with a child in your life, you will do your best to raise them in the knowledge and love of the Lord.
To the parents who have had a child that died. I am sorry. I can't begin to understand the pain and hole in your heart. Jesus weeps with you. This side of heaven, there is no way to make sense of it. May the words of our God bring to your heart what you need. Know that so many of us are here to listen and sit with you and pray with you.
No matter what our life situations are, know that as we sit in our homes, and when we walk by the way, and when we lie down, and when we rise...Jesus is with us always.
Peace out!
Andy
*Sorry for the delay in writing. As most of you know, I have had/ having a series of doctor appointments in addition to just the busyness of being a husband, father, and pastor. I appreciate your prayers. None of us journey alone!
stpaullakeland.org
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