Sometimes we don't like growing because it means changes. Right now is a time of changes for me.
Yesterday our youngest son left for Colorado to follow his dreams. In less than a month's time our daughter will be leaving to serve the Lord in Asia. No more children at home; back to just my husband and me - oh yes, and the Lord. A time of growing.
For 26 years my life has been wrapped around children. But even back in those early days I can remember how the Lord used them to change me.
When we had our first son, my husband encouraged me to go to the Ladies Bible Study at our chapel. I didn't want to go because I felt that that was for the "older" women. He continued to encourage me to go and I finally submitted. It was the best thing in my life. The women there ranged from my age to retired grandmas. I learned how to discipline my children in love as we poured over the Word of God. I learned that submitting to my husband was God's desire for me and the best thing in the world for me because it was God's protection of me. I learned that there was hope because one of the quietest women I knew used to yell at her children, but because of her husband, she had learned she didn't need to yell. A time of growing.
I remember the years (and there were 4 of them) when my husband wasn't employed and we believed God wanted me to continue to stay home with our children. God graciously provided for our needs throughout those years. We never hungered and we still kept our house. A time of growing.
Thinking back when we had to leave our chapel, our family of God, and move to Arizona for a job which only lasted 9 months. Remembering looking at different churches; trying to find out where we needed to be. Then coming to a little assembly and feeling right at home, even though it was an hour away. The friends made there were for life. Our children still talk about that little church with fond memories. A time of growing.
Believing that God wanted us to leave our comfortable home and church family again for a chance to serve Him in a different country. Not an easy choice, especially since our oldest was about to graduate from high school. It meant his home would no longer be there for him and our new home would be a place he wasn't familiar with. Trusting God to provide our needs not just for a month or even a few months or even a whole year, but for the rest of our lives. A time of growing.
Now the other two are leaving. Through it all God has been so faithful. How can I NOT trust Him for the future? He is able to do beyond what we can even think or imagine. And as this new season starts, there is also the beginning of something else: Grandparents. Our oldest and his wife are expecting a little boy. Though they are miles away, God always allows for us to communicate and still be a part. How can I NOT be thankful!
Times of growing; they are so needed and such blessings. May we praise God for what He does in our lives.
