Cold, college, and God's faithfulness

     Brrrrr.  It's cold in these here parts.
     We're in Davidson watching a golf tournament in what can only be described as Polar Vortex heaven.  Seriously, I cannot for the life of me figure out how these young men can possibly swing a golf club, much less manage to get a tiny ball into a teensy hole in such frigid, windy, and yesterday wet, weather. Thank the Lord it's dry today--and a balmy 30 degrees...wind chill listed at 12 degrees.  Don't you wish you were here?  Of course, how can I complain?  People actually live in places like Canada and Alaska and Maine, though I cannot imagine why.  I'd never leave the house from november thru april if I lived in Chicago or Buffalo.
     Okay, done with complaining.  Forgive me, Lord.
     "Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, Rejoice!" (Phil.4:4).  And "Do ALL things without grumbling or questioning, that you  may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and corrupt generation among whom you shine as lights in the world." (Phil.2:14-15)  I am so busted.  Thank You, Lord, for repentance, for grace, and for fresh starts.  Boy, do I need the Gospel every single hour of every single day.
     Back to the subject at hand.  Here's Richard "warming up" (sort of an ironic term when it's 30 degrees and windy!) this morning--

     And here's what I'm thinking--other than thank you, Father, that I'm inside right now: Our son's four years at Davidson have flown by.  It sounds so cliche, but it's so true--the days may sometimes feel mighty long, but the years are far too short.  It seems like yesterday that we arrived on the campus for Richard's orientation with a bit of fear and trepidation in our hearts.  Yet the Lord knew this was the very perfect place for our son--a place where he would grow and learn and flourish.  A place where he would develop incredible friendships.  A place where God would begin shaping him into the man He's called him to be.  So a simple, thank You, Lord.
     And while I'm at it--thank You, Lord, for the beauty of this campus.  I walked around this morning and despite the bitterly cold temperatures, I marveled at the peaceful, gracious beauty of this place.

     Like all of life with our children, it's all gone by far too quickly.  So I'm trying to savor these simple moments with our children.  Like dinner with our newlyweds and Richard the other night here in Davidson--

     Hard to believe they've been married for nearly two months--but thank You, thank You, Father!  I want to hold onto my children tightly and keep them close...but in Your grace and goodness, You've given them wings that they might fly. Teach us to rejoice as they soar rather than whine and worry that they are flying away.  

          Over the past few days, it seems as if the Lord has repeatedly stilled time for just a millisecond.  Tiny, invisible pauses here and there, as if to say:  Right now.  This moment.  Treasure this moment with the people you love.  Taste the saltiness of the pizza and rejoice in the One who made the tomato and the wheat!  Gaze at these precious, irreplaceable faces that sit around the table with you and rejoice in their loving Creator and His incredible grace in putting them in your life.  Feel the stinging cold and breathe deeply of the fresh winter's air and rejoice in the Maker of heaven and earth...and weather!  Stand amazed at the gifts God pours out upon you in people, places, laughter, love, health, home. Too many to count...but try. Try to notice and number them. 

      Grasp the supernatural Word in your hands and wonder with amazement and joy that the Redeemer, Sustainer, and Creator speaks to you, to all of us.  His Word--warm from the breath of the Almighty--fresh for you, for this day, for this hour...to equip, encourage, strengthen and sustain. 

       And so Lord, we press on...relying upon Your provision for us this day, trusting in Your sustaining presence and power for us for the future, and remembering, too, Your forever faithfulness to us in the past. 

       Lord, children may be growing up, life may always be "a-changing"--but You are eternally changeless, good, and faithful.  

We thank You, and we trust You.  To God be the glory.