Growing up

Okay, so I haven’t blogged in awhile. Not to justify my absence, but I have been quite overwhelmed of late—both physically and emotionally.

As school started this year, I realized that I (well, Sam too) have a senior this year…a senior in high school. Me, as young as I am (no snickers please), with a senior…in high school. And not only is Nathan a senior this year (in high school), but Sarah will be 16 and driving (aaahhhhh) in four weeks. Enough said. Those of you who have already ridden on this emotional roller coaster can totally relate and know exactly why I’ve felt so overwhelmed.

My first point is my youngest, Sarah - Assistant Blogger Extraordinaire. Hopefully, you all have enjoyed her “fill-in” blogs. She is an exceptional writer with a passion and love for the Lord and gifted enough to know how to express her love through the written word.

As you may have read in her blog, lately we have been consumed with her new school, Hudsonville High, where she is steadily realizing her Eagle powers. She loves her creative writing class (obviously) and making new friends daily. During her off school time, we are giving her much needed driving time before the “big” day. Big to her—scary to us. It’s funny how 16 year olds don’t understand the concept of “Learner’s Permit.” The operative word being LEARNER’S. While she’s driving, I go into instructor mode saying, “watch that car, slow down, look both ways” when her only concern is how to switch the radio from AM to FM. I think she just wants to drown out my constant belting out “Jesus Take the Wheel.” We are still getting the barrage of “when will I get a car?” whining. I do, however, realize that this whining comes with 16 year old territory. I am not alone.

Sarah has kept me busy and on my knees. Nathan has been time consuming as well. Did I mention he was a senior in high school? College is coming sooner that I can imagine. Even as I say the words, I can feel my shoulders drop and my eyes start to tear up. He is inundated daily with college brochures and letters in the mail. The decision is a great one, probably his biggest to date, but I know that God is speaking to him and will direct his path. I know that we have trained him in the way he should go. I just wish we could tell him what to do now. But this decision is his, and his alone. This is the day that we have coached him for his whole life. To be on his own, a man preparing for life as an adult (give me a minute, okay?), to realize the plans and purposes God has for him and to have the faith to step out with the boldness to go where he has never gone before (tissues please).

My two little children are becoming independent and in little need of mom and dad. Then again, isn’t this exactly what we trained them for since the day they were born?

Here it is in a spiritual nutshell. I believe that in the physical realm, as we mature and grow up, we become less and less dependent upon our parents. In the spiritual realm, the sign that we are a mature believer is that we are more and more dependent upon the Father (2 Cor. 6:18). Relying totally on Him, walking in faith, believing what He says, allowing Him to direct our paths and following His commands. I want to grow up and mature in the Lord to where I stop trying to do things my own way…I stop rolling my eyes when He tells me something I don’t want to hear…stop thinking that I know more than He knows. I want to be so mature that I will have the faith to do all He wants me to do, whenever He wants me to do it, believing that He will make sure that I have all I need to accomplish His purpose in my life.

Please pray for pastor and me as we head toward this new chapter in our lives…and buy stock in Kleenex!

Cya,

Brenda