Big Steps

This week was a week of big steps within our family.  On Monday our youngest child, Joanna, took her road test, passed, and got her driver’s license. I couldn’t imagine ever seeing the day when everyone within the family would be driving.  But, it has happened—even our “baby” can now get behind the wheel of a car without Kim or me being there!  The next thing I knew, Joanna was offering to go the supermarket and pick up some items for the house.  I wasn’t quite sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing!  But, off she went, driving to the supermarket without anyone else in the car. 

Then last night (Thursday) our son Nathaniel walked to the podium, got his diploma, and graduated from high school!  For him, that means all the things that have part of his high school career have now officially come to an end—e.g. the tennis team, marching band, the classmates that he has been with for so many years, the teachers that he has known.  By the end of the summer he will be moving into a dorm room, living with strangers, and beginning his college career as he begins to forge a new life for himself.  Of course, I’m really happy for him.  Yet, at the same time it feels very weird to have my second child moving on in this way. 

For Kim and me, this all means that the nest is emptying out faster than we ever anticipated.  It means that our children are becoming less and less dependent upon us as they form lives of their own.  Honestly, it is hard for us as parents to go through these big steps with our children.  It is all quite bittersweet. 

Today, more than ever before, Kim and I hold onto the principle stated for us in Proverbs 22:6,  “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.”  (NASB)  Our prayer is that whatever our children do and wherever they go that they will keep God at the center of their lives. We hope and pray that all that we have taught them and all that they have known and experienced in Christ, will be that which keeps them grounded and that which guides them as they continue to move forward through life. We pray that they will always remember that, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Psalm 111:10 – NIV)

And, may it be the same for each of us.  As we move through each of our lives, so often taking the big steps that are placed before us, may Jesus Christ remain central to all we are and all we do.

Have a great day!

Pastor Tim Harris