Nine More Days

My husband of 25.5 years and myself will leave our home on January 4, 2013 with a van stuffed full of college paraphernalia and our firstborn child…. to just drop her off in Oklahoma and run for the border.  It’s a first for our family.  Children leaving the nest.  Much preparation, turmoil, tears and rejoicing have gone into this event.  Way more turmoil than I originally anticipated for a college departure.

There are nine more days to teach her everything she needs to know for infinity and beyond.  That is the key right there that keeps me from losing it… again.  Infinity and beyond is what really matters.  Kingdom thinking.  Have we prepared our daughter (the one who once asked for scotch tape and a box of envelopes for Christmas) to love God and serve people?  That people are more important than things?  To build others up and give a helping hand?

Yes, she plowed through algebra and ancient world history… but that is knowledge and not necessarily wisdom.  Wisdom is what matters in life.  Proverbs says that we should seek after wisdom and that it is found in those who take advice.  And wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men.

Yes, she can effectively run a household, hold down a job and save money… but it is her heart that matters.  Getting to this point with child number one has helped me focus with children numbers 2,3 and 4.  They will also make it through algebra and ancient world history… but I need to be an example of love to them no matter the circumstances.

My firstborn daughter and I watched Les Miserables in the theater in Mission, B.C., Canada last night.  My favorite line was “To love another person is to see the face of God.”  A GREAT movie to see before heading off to college.

(I can do this. I can do this.  I can do this.)

I Stand Amazed

I’m not sure if that is a title to a song or not, but it should be.  I am standing in amazement, once more, at how God brings people into my life EXACTLY when I need to hear what they have to say.  I hope I am that person to others.  People that I’ve known for years…. but right NOW I needed to hear their life experience that I had not heard until I needed it.

One such person is about ten years ahead of me in her mom-life-situation.  She gave me some hind-sight advice that is so valuable.  She started by saying, “If I could turn back time… THIS is what I would have done.”  It was all very applicable to me and my life RIGHT NOW.  It was wise council.  It was pointed and direct.  It was true.  I needed to hear it.  And God knew I wasn’t ready to hear it until now.

Another such person has been through several rough patches in life, which have given me insight that I did not/could not gain on my own journey.  THAT is why God gives us friends who have walked different paths, tried different things, made mistakes, and offer excellent “travel worthy” words of wisdom from a been-there-done-that standpoint.

I’m thankful that my mind and heart were open when they needed to be.  Not when it was too late.  NOW, when I needed wise council.  Thank you, God.  I stand amazed at your timing and mercy.