Today I saw one child off to her first day of high school, and another to his first day of college.
I baked our favorite chocolate cake and we ate together, for the second night in a row, something we hadn’t done in it felt like weeks. (If you comment on this blog, I’ll send you the frosting recipe that always gets raves and makes ANY cake extra special.)
A friend pointed out, “This is a milestone for you as a parent.”
Yes indeed.
I am grateful for the opportunity to invest in these two young lives.
I am grateful that they will still be around together for the next year or two. (Son got a full scholarship to local college, an offer too good to pass up in this economy.)
Most of all, I am grateful for
grace that covers my husband’s and my many imperfections in our parenting.
In our church, the pastor has been preaching on the Beatitutdes in Matthew 5. Seems like daily I’m confessing how bankrupt I am spiritually, how sorry I am for my inadequacies, how much I hunger and thirst for true righteousness.
Every day I am called to be merciful (as teens are snarly, disrespectful, neglectful, etc.). I am challenged to be pure in heart, to be a peacemaker (big challenge there!), and often I feel persecuted! (Though I don’t think this is the kind of persecution Jesus was talking about.)
For now, however, I savor this bittersweet moment (along with the peace and quiet I finally have for the first time in many weeks).
The gift of children. One of the richest, most complex, and stretching of all the gifts God gives.
Pure. Honest. Lovely. Truth. Thank you.
Oh, Diane, I remember those days. I remember when our two sons decided to move to St. John’s Island, not knowing anyone. Oh, how scary that was…for me! They’re now 40 and 36. Wow! And I still question my imperfections and thank God that He always covers them. I’m sure you’re very proud of your boys. Be blessed…
And grandchildren are an equal blessing. We recently had four of our five grandchildren, ranging from ages 6 go 11, with us while they attended a week of Child Evangelism Fellowship day camp. We comforted them when they got homesick, fed them when they got hungry, read bedtime stories and played board games. What a privilege and a blessing!
And grandchildren are an equal blessing. We recently had four of our five grandchildren, ranging from ages 6 go 11, with us while they attended a week of Child Evangelism Fellowship day camp. We comforted them when they got homesick, fed them when they got hungry, read bedtime stories and played board games. What a privilege and a blessing!
Amen, amen & amen sister. I can so relate to you. I have two teenagers and know exactly how you feel. Having the privilege of raising them is both exhilarating and exhausting (at the same time). Without the Fathers mercy and grace, it would seem an impossible task. Thanks for sharing your heart with me.
My oldest child is forty four, the second is forty and my baby is thirty. Reading what you wrote brings the past instantly to the present, together with joys and regrets. I was glad you did not paint everything just rosy; how we wish but that is not reality. Children more than anyone teach us to pray; in time we pray with optomism, hope and a surety that only a growing rest and trust in God brings.
God bless and keep you and yours.
Margaret sometimes known as Maggie B.K.
And grandchildren are an equal blessing. We recently had four of our five grandchildren, ranging from ages 6 go 11, with us while they attended a week of Child Evangelism Fellowship day camp. We comforted them when they got homesick, fed them when they got hungry, read bedtime stories and played noard games. What a privilege and a blessing!;