I think Louis L'Amour was a fantastic author. He really puts you INSIDE the story. You feel like you KNOW the characters in his books. At least I do.
One of my favorite lines in one of his books is "How quickly go the years." This is the first line of a new chapter where the book is transitioning forward several years. I have read that book more times than I can count. And the first time I read it, that phrase "How quickly go the years" really didn't mean much to me. I was young. What did I know about years passing by?
Well, fast forward to today and I understand all too well just exactly "how quickly go the years."
I am 50 years old. How did that happen? I am NOT OLD, but yet I'm not really young any more. To use golfing terminology (and I'm not a golfer at all) "I'm playin' on the back nine."
My kids aren't really kids any more. Our handsome son is a college graduate. He is engaged. He owns his own house. He has a "big kid" job. I don't see him every day anymore. There are some days I don't even talk to him because he is working and busy, and I'm working and busy. Right now he is actually working out of town a few days a week for his employer, helping out in another office. I miss the little boy who used to say "I love you mommy, you're the mommy I wanted."
And I have so enjoyed having our beautiful daughter at home over her Christmas break (she has been home for 27 glorious days). I have LOVED being able to see her every day. But she left this morning, on her way to Norfolk, Virginia with her boyfriend's parents. Her boyfriend is a U.S. Marine and he returns tomorrow night from a seven month deployment in Bahrain (and in case you're wondering Bahrain is an island in the Persian Gulf). Please pray for safe travels for my daughter and her boyfriend's parents as they are driving to Virginia. And safe travels as she flies back home Sunday evening and heads back to classes Monday morning. I miss the little girl who always said "Love you MORE."
My friends, both of my children have big decisions they are making concerning their lives, and their futures. Not necessarily anything bad, just big.
When kids are little, and the decisions are small, parents make all of those decisions for them and pretty much assure that everything turns out O.K. When kids are older, well, the decisions are big, and the parents don't get to make those decisions for them. And those of you who have walked this path before me know exactly what I'm talking about. For those of you who aren't there yet, and your kids are still little, remember the title of this post "How quickly go the years."
That is where I find myself today. Giving my kids advice. Trying to share Godly wisdom with them. Praying for them day and night. And then having to stand back and say "God, not my will, but yours be done."
I ask today that you would lift my children before the throne, and ask God to lead them and guide them down the path that He has for them. Pray for them as often as the Holy Spirit brings them to your mind, and pray as the Holy Spirit leads you. I am praying for God to close all doors that are not His will, and to open doors that He wants them to go through. I am asking God to surround them with Godly people who can speak into their lives. And I am asking the Holy Spirit to protect them from anything that is not God's best for their life.
I have prayed for you this morning. Before you even read this little old blog post, I prayed for you. I prayed for your spouse and your children, your entire family. I asked for healing where healing is needed. Both physical healing and spiritual healing. I prayed for restored relationships. I prayed for financial provision. I prayed for strength and encouragement. I prayed that every crooked place in your life will be made straight. And I prayed for peace and joy to just surround you. I asked God to bless you in a mighty way!!
Galatians 6:2 says this: "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." That is not a suggestion. We are to do it.
Today, I am asking you to bear my burden, and I am bearing yours. I will continue to pray for each of you, whether you comment or not, whether you pray or not. I am praying for you.
And I know that God is still on the throne, and still more than able to meet every single need. Thank you for praying. I am praying for you.
Oh hugs to you it is very hard to not worry about our children and the decisions they have to make as adults. I will be thinking of your daughter and all your family. Take care and thank you for thinking about all of us. Hug B
ReplyDeleteWill certainly do that for you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post to share today. I think the best thing we can as parents is continued prayer for our children as they move forward in their lives and I join you in yours for God to keep them on the narrow path, to always be there in the darkest storms and to give them protection as He has sealed them as His own.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, Louis L'Amour was my favorite growing up. It's why I am still a huge fan of Christian Westerns today!
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Where is the LIKE button?
ReplyDeleteI love this post about your kids and where they (and you) are in life right now. We're right there in those same places. I, too, had my sweet daughter home for about a month, and I do miss her cheerful greetings and hugs. When she calls, as she does most every day, I light up when I hear her sweet voice say, "Hey Mommy!" Such enthusiasm and joy. And I dread the occasional time when either of my children respond to my answering the phone with, "Mommmm...." That's when I know something is bothering them and they are calling for advice or help. But, you're right, that's the stage we're at in life...and that's the job of the parent of adult children...to be there, to pray to advise as they allow.
ReplyDeletePraying for you and yours!