When I arrived back home the other day after dropping off our first college student, I cried and cried. How I love summer! The warmth, no homework, no schedules, children coming home, and time together with family and friends. So I wept for the end of summer. I wept for the children leaving home. But most of all, I wept that time relentlessly marches on, and try as I might, I simply cannot hold onto those I love tightly enough. They grow up and leave--for which, again, I thank the Lord--but I MISS THEM! I miss the noise and mess and energy and activity. I miss having those I love right smack dab here with me all the time.
But here's the thing--we can't stop time. We can't stop--nor would we ever want to--our children from growing up, leaving us, and going out into this big world to make a difference for Christ and living for His glory. But here's what we can do--keep running our race. As long as we're still here, God is not finished with us yet...so we keep running "with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb.12:1-2)
For those of you who have grown children, God's not finished with you or your children yet. Whether you have young children, grown children, or no children, if you're still breathing, God's still working. And He's got plans--good plans--for each of us. He's promised: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.'" (Jer.29:11)
Until the Lord takes us home to heaven, He's not finished with us...which means we're not finished. And we've gotta keep running the race of faith. Keep loving and encouraging our children--whether they are still at home or are away. Keep fixing our gaze on Jesus and running each day by His power and for His glory. Keep sharing the love of Christ with everyone He brings into our path. Keep living out the grace and power of the Gospel day by day. Keep reading and being transformed by His life-giving Word. Keep rejecting worry and anxiety, and instead keep praying and giving thanks in everything (Phil.4:6)
Whatever season of life we're in, God's got work for us to do, people for us to love, faith for us to grow, gratitude for us to express, and joy for us to experience. Oh might we stay faithful and focused on running our race all the way to the finish line...all the way till we hear His beautiful voice exclaiming, "Well done My good and faithful child...enter into the joy of Your Abba."
Yep, the house may be quiet but my heart is full. Thank You, Father, for the joyous gift of our children and the privilege of raising these five eternal souls. Thank You for Your endless grace--I've messed up so badly and so often, but Your grace and forgiveness are deeper and greater still. Thank You for the treasure of dear friends. Thank You for Your Word that transforms and renews our mind. Thank You for the beauty of Your world. Thank You for work to do and folks to love. Thank You that Your mercies are new every morning and Your faithfulness never, ever fails. Thank You for Jesus--our Savior, Redeemer, Lord, and Friend.
Father, please keep us faithful. Keep us thankful. And keep us running the race You've marked out for us--all by Your power, all to Your glory, all the way to the finish line.
To God be the glory.
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