I missed a few weeks posting my weekly devotions; I simply couldn't get it done. Our youngest child was completing requirements for high school graduation last month. Honestly, it was more than I could keep up with. After four sons moving through their K-12 years spanning almost 24 years, I didn't want to miss a single moment of this ending. Our son competed in the state track meet, breaking a school record and setting a personal best; then there was the regional baseball game, thesis presentation, deadlines for slide show pictures, graduation announcements were ordered and gifts for classmates. I supervised the mailing of thank you notes for gifts, organized a graduation party. Not to forget the mountain of college admission paperwork requirements, placement tests and registrations for roommate selection and orientation> The list goes on and on and on. Most days my head was spinning double checking lists and email updates. It was almost a full time job just keeping up. Considering I have a full-time job, I was exhausted to say the least.
“As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.” Daniel 12:13 NIV
With every ending there is a grain of sadness as I watch a door close that, try as I might, I am unable to keep open. Now all my sons have moved into the second phase of their lives, spreading their wings to becoming the independent, strong men their father and I have raised them to be. My heart swells with pride and anticipation as God opens doors for even greater adventures. New things are in store for me as well. Most of my mothering will be over a phone; responding to calls when noses are stuffy or for advice when relationships are hard. The exciting part is my role as a parent at our school has developed into an oversight position which I face with great excitement.
In the beginning God... Genesis 1:1 NIV
This past week, I experience another ending and beginning. Druing the past year (plus a few months), I had been been reading through the Old Testament chronologically. I have shared some of the wonderful things I have learned, how Scripture has been revealed afresh to me in knowledge and understanding. I contemplated the next step for this ending...do I continue on to the New Testament or something else? After a week of prayer and contemplation, I started over in Genesis. Isn't that what we do when something ends? Start again? I fully trust our LORD to tell me new things, adding to the foundation that was built over the past 14 months.
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When He comes, He will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I, the One speaking to you—I am He.” John 4:23-26 NIV
With life, people, situations, and jobs come and go. Solomon stated in Ecclesiastes 3, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." If we are constantly looking back at what has gone, we will never be able to embrace what our gracious LORD is bringing our way. If we try to hold on too tightly, hoping our children stay little, then they will never be able to be all Elohim has created them to be. Yes, we miss them when they leave for college, start careers and move to distant places, but the phone and facetime let me hear their voices and see their faces. People ask how I am handling our youngest taking flight. "My answer, better than I used to." After witnessing the omnipotent hand of our Creator on their lives, I realize they must leave our nest to learn to walk according to the Father's perfect plan for their lives.
Adonai, You love each of us more than we can possibly imagine. Although life continues to march on, sometimes faster than we would like, it is all part of Your omniscient plan to grow and shape us in the image of Your perfect Son, our Savior, Yeshua haMashiach. Open our eyes of our hearts to Your Word, giving us knowledge and understanding so we may see things with clarity and a deeper understanding, and trusting when things do not make sense to us. Help us to hold on loosely to the children we love so You may spread their wings and help them soar to immeasurable heights for Your glory. Amen.