“And you, Solomon my son, get to know well your father’s God; serve Him with a whole heart and eager mind, for God examines every heart and sees through every motive. If you seek Him, He’ll make sure you find Him, but if you abandon Him, He'll leave you for good. Look sharp now! God has chosen you to build His Holy House. Be brave, determined! And do it!” (28:9-10)
“Take charge! Take heart! Don’t be anxious or get discouraged. God, my God, is with you in this; He won’t walk off and leave you in the lurch. He’s at your side until every last detail is completed for conducting the worship of God. You have all the priests and Levites standing ready to pitch in, and skillful craftsmen and artisans of every kind ready to go to work. Both leaders and people are ready. Just say the word.” (28:20-21)
Our sons, Adam and Nichalas, are now adults.
Nichalas is married to Amber.
Are there any other parents out there when looking at their grown children, wonder where the little child went? Occasionally, I am blessed with a glimpse of the little boy, in their expression, the way the light hits their face, their eyes crinkling with mischief as they torment each other.
There aren't too many moments they don't take advantage to "play" either (these pictures are from two Christmas' ago). They have never outgrown, "wrestling with dad", and still have yet to take him down. One day though, they will.
The biggest difference in the relationship we share with our adult children is time. With Adam living in New York and Nichalas/Amber in Phoenix, there are months we go without spending time together. Skyping, cell phones, e-mail, bring some ease to the separation, but it isn't the same. Absence has a way of when we are together, making each moment count - setting priorities. And we do. It doesn't matter if the house is immaculate at all times, a perfectly prepared meal on the table three times a day, or if we are off "doing" something all the time. We just drink in spending moments together, playing board games, lounging, building something, a welcome invasion to our quiet home with the army of friends, descending upon us, late nights, little sleep, extra laundry.
We are spending our time being a family.
And in these moments together, God is always at the center. Our conversations usually end up speaking about verses we have read in His Word, a sermon we heard, or just how God has grown and blessed us all in our lives.
Adam has a quiet, strong, and steady walk with our ABBA. How my heart leaps when I see the example of Christ his friends see and wonder about. How he is drawing them in, one by one. While having a conversation with Nichalas and Amber this morning, we were talking about Nichalas' future with school, job, etc. They both said at the same time, "we don't know what God wants us to do, we're just praying and listening". I just smiled and thanked God that they are truly one heart "in" Him.
We are so thankful to have such an open relationship with our kids, sharing with each other what to pray and praise God about. It blows my mind, because I know they got it from their ABBA, neither one of them worry. I have learned so much from their example of faith in knowing, without doubt, “Take charge! Take heart! Don’t be anxious or get discouraged. God, my God, is with you in this; He won’t walk off and leave you in the lurch. He’s at your side until every last detail is completed for conducting the worship of God.
God has so blessed me to see our fruits are "outstanding and strong." "in" Him. No greater joy!
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