This month, I want to write about the loves of my life!
My oldest son is an outdoors instructor. Twenty one years old with a wisdom and a tenacity that I'm amazed by. The teaching skills required for this position would humble the most educated and responsive teachers. I've known many amazing teachers and instructors in my life (with my husband being one of them)however, the intentionality of my son's lessons plans is second to none.
This very intelligent and inventive young man was on his way to college because we all told him he should go. He is smart in an usually perceptive way and had a teacher's heart even as a young boy. Still, he is a paradox.
Thoughtful and kind and giving and yet someone who gets lost in his own world. Strong and coordinated and didn't do one high school sport. A reader of classics and whose passion for anything climbing and risk taking both endeared and scared his Mother.
Looking back, I know that he was made for this. This was my son who used a bed sheet for him and his brother to escapae out of the window to the back yard during nap time....when they were 4 and 2. This is my son I would find up the cedar tree and on the ranch house before I could say STOP.
And the one who would cuddle through high school. Most memorable to me as the one who couldn't hold still long enough to nurse as he was always ready to go and explore.
In the one room K-8 grade school where he began his education of Kind. and first grade, he was the only one in his class. So he joined in others' studies and was fascinated with geography, rivers, topology and science.
When the winter was the worst in a hundred years and the snow piled over the swings and school house and tunneling was a recess activity...he fell in love with snow and dreamed of sleeping in an igloo.
He just did that.
I adore this big son of mine and think of him all the time. I pray for him and for his friends.
I miss him so badly that I hurt. The desire I have for him to seek and know God, to have a true partner in marriage and for him to follow his calling in whatever job he has is overwhelming at times.
I will always have my role as his parent to pray and seek God for him and his life.
However, parenting him is God's job now. That differentiation is tough on parents but part of God's plan.
It is our role to deal with our own hang ups of releasing and up to God to deal with our children. The first is most difficult for me!
God desires grown up adults to work in and to work through. Men who are strong, risk taking individuals who know their strengths and take responsibility for their lives.
Men who turn their hearts to God and lead families and build churches and whose nation can depend.
Men who are not afraid to love, cry, lead, fight and defend.
Men whose hearts are bowed to God but whose shoulders are broad and dependable and faithful.
Our children have to struggle and build their own relationship with a very real and powerful God.
To know Him.
It is our role as parents to be a leader.
Not to protect, but rather believe in our God and in our children.
"It is never the duty of a leader to struggle for someone else; a leader must encourage others to struggle and assure them that the struggles are worthwhile." Andy Andrews
Comments
Post a Comment