Life Changing...

I know, I know...it has been almost two months since I have written. I seriously wanted to write before now, but the truth is that life has kept me busier than I should have been. Since July 8, I have been on a mission trip with the teenagers from my church, I have attended the District Assembly of my District churches, attended Camp Meeting and then it happened. On July 25, I was working with my father-in-law and stepped out of someone's front door when my left quadricep tendon ruptured. I sit here in my chair, on August 31, and literally have not bent my leg since the July 25th date. I have a week to go before I see the Dr., and he says after then that we will hit rehab "hard and fast." I'm not sure whether to be excited or scared, at this point.

That is not the reason for my writing, however, since today will always hold a special place in the life of our family. This story, though, starts around eighteen years ago. Tina and I were living in Atlanta and expecting our first child. As a typical father, I was somewhat nervously excited about the upcoming addition to our family and found myself praying that much more as the date moved closer with each passing day. One day, in particular, I remember being by myself at the altar of our church and praying. I was asking God to help me in advance to be the best Father that I could be for my child. There, while kneeling at the altar, I experienced a holy moment with Jesus. I sensed him saying that the plans for our child were far beyond anything we could ever comprehend and that the blessings of God would be on this kid.

Now, for many that might excite you, and there was part of me that was excited as well. However, it also made me that much more nervous than before. I mean, here I am as a new parent-to-be, already nervous and now God has a special plan for this kids life ~ and it's up to me to make sure that they know and follow that plan? Who does God think I am? I know that my wife is the most amazing person in the world, but me? What if I mess this up? What lives/world events hang in the balance?

The truth is, this is the plan that God has for every person born. The sanctity of life begins at conception and continues with every breath a person breathes. "Your hands made me and fashioned me (Psalm 119:73)" "Children are a gift from the Lord (Psalm 127:3)" "For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; (Psalm 139:13-16)" "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you (Jeremiah 1:5)." "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord (Jeremiah 29:11)." "Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity. (1 Timothy 5:1-2)."

All of this brings me to this point, eighteen years later. The child that God gave us that December, and the ones that followed, are not ours. The whole time, it is God who made them, fashioned them and made plans for them. All that my wife and I were to do, over the years they are with us, is to introduce them to the God who made, fashioned and planned for them. A tall order in the midst of a world that calls in every direction but God's. However, that is our marching orders as parents of children: introduce them to the one that loves them like no other, will walk with them throughout life and bring peace and joy in the midst of chaos and distress.

As of this writing, our oldest is only hours away from taking his first leap out of our nest. Our goal over eighteen years has been to transfer a living faith that is bold and powerful. A faith not caught up in comfort but in a calling to serve. So, before it is time to let go remember your calling as parents. Remember that they are yours only for a while. And remember that he who began a good work...even eighteen years ago...is faithful to complete that work over the rest of their lives.