As a parent, I want more for my children. I want them to dream big and realized their dreams. I want them to love and be loved. Most of all, I want them to realize their full potential in God.
It’s only natural to want more for our children…but once they are grown, our influence is limited. I remember Jim saying one time (before Derek left for the military), “Did I teach him enough?”
What parent hasn’t asked that question as they see their children venture out into the world? How can we fully prepare them, when we cannot all the unknowns they will face in their lives?
Jim and I credit our parents for taking us to church…for giving us a firm foundation to build on. Jim was raised Catholic and I was raised Baptist. We raised our children in the church. They attended Chrysalis (a Christian weekend for teens) and became involved in that ministry. They went to youth night. Craig preached at the youth service and sang in the youth choir. They were involved…as youth.
But now, they are adults. What choices will they make? Jim and I were away from the church for quite some time. We didn’t live at home…it wasn’t our parents’ decision if we went or not. It was up to us, as adults, to pursue that relationship with Christ…to work to make it happen, much like we have done with our marriage. Every relationship is built on communication. Our relationship with Christ is no different.
We are almost empty nesters…was Derek ready? Is Craig ready?
I think so. I pray so. I pray every day that my boys will continue to follow Christ. That they won’t slip away, the way I did. That they will stay the course. Oh, I know that there will be challenges, but there will be obstacles either way. The difference is the peace of knowing that God is with you, no matter what the challenge is.
I want more for my children. More faith…more peace…more hope…more love.
And you know what’s really cool? As much as I want more for my children…God wants it more!
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. –Romans 5
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. –John 14:12
Writes 4 Him 