I love having children who are young adults. It's truly a pleasure to be in their company. I knew they were great kids. This past week I realized they are phenomenal young women. Not because of their Daddy and Mama. Yes, we laid a foundation..or at least tried too. But they are both who they are because of God's grace. Because they have decided to believe who God says they are. Not who the world, their generation, society says they are.
I wish I could share their testimonies with you. Maybe one day I will be able to talk them into contributing a blurb. They truly are extraordinary women. Not because they are my kids. They each have faced more challenges in their two short decades than most people face in a lifetime. And, honestly, that's putting it mildly. I have loved watching how God has guided both of them, is guiding them, through various stages of their lives.
Our oldest daughter was a successful high school athlete. She was committed to play collegiately. A goal she spent ten years preparing for. Her senior year of high school she blew her knees. Both of them. Three knee surgeries. The university would allow her to red shirt--take a year off. Her Dad and I asked her a few questions. "What can you do with field hockey after college?" "Is it worth risking your health? Possibly permanently damaging your legs?" A dream, she thought, was shattered. She applied to an in-state university and walked away from her first love. As soon as she set foot on that campus? She walked away from the faith and into the world like most college kids do.
This past week I was reminded of several things. First, never ever stop praying for your kids. God hears us! We may not hear Him at first. Rest assured He is interceding on our behalf. He knows how, when, and where to answer those prayers. In His perfect timing not ours.
Secondly, God Is faithful. When the Lord tells us in 1 Corinthians 1:9 "God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says"? Well, He means it! It may not be in our time frame. It may not happen the way we would like it too. He says He has "invited us into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord". He has. By faith we must trust Him.
Lastly, drop all expectations. Yep, you heard me correctly. We all think our kid is the smartest, brightest, best looking, most talented thing since sliced bread. We may never admit it but we have dreams for our kids. Expectations. Visions of who they will become. Visions of who we will be in regards to their accomplishments. We can encourage, direct, delegate, guide, and orchestrate their future. The reality? Their story has already been written by the Lord. Our job is to help them hear Him. One of my favorite verses in the bible is "We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps"-Proverbs 16:9. Ain't that truth?!
Our oldest beautiful blonde is in her last weeks of her teaching internship. She is preparing to graduate from college cum laude in less than a month. She will be coaching field hockey at her high school alma mater in the Fall. He saw the bigger picture. He knew that this beautiful young woman will make a difference in the lives of other young girls. He has given her the perfect platform, His platform, to be a blessing to those around her. All of her training and all of her preparation is being used to glorify Him. He had a plan all along. He was faithful.
With all the bad that goes on in the world there is still so much good. There is a great and mighty God behind the scenes. He knew every single hair on our head before we were born (Mathew 10:30). He is in control even when we think there is no hope. He's got us. Despite our mistakes as parents. Despite our mistakes as human beings. He has us in the palm of his hand. Nothing absolutely nothing is out of His control. Our job? To let go of the control we so desperately try to cling too. Trust Him to complete His good work in us for His glory.
"But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness."-Psalm 86:15
