preparing them for the future

Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Yes, I shared the verse above and the verse below last week.

I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

This past weekend has been one of those times in the life of parents that we smile lots and cry too. Julie and I really are blessed with 3 incredible children. Rebecca, Ruth and Ryan have stolen our hearts and made us proud time and time again.

As we dropped Ruth off at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg it was evident once again that we were going to be proud of and praying for her. The college campus is beautiful. The orientation process was excellent. There is more to come. What she has shared with us make us glad this was her choice for the next step of life and education.

When we left on Saturday, all 3 of us were crying, and Ruth gave her mom a letter. I will not recount for the next few miles or the conversation or even the contents of the letter. What I will share is that this baby Ruth of ours is a great person. They were not just words. They came from her heart.

Once thing that I have asked, examined, digested, thought through a lot and more is that helping our kids be prepared for what is ahead. Several people have said we have done a good job. I am humbled. What Ruth said was similar. I am still in awe of all that we experienced.

To help someone be prepared is a big deal. We may just be preparing them for a test. We may be helping them prepare for something like a 5k race. It could be many different things.

But to prepare our children for life is a very big deal, and I am just praying that what we have done is enough. We have shown our kids God. We have expected them to reach for God and to allow Him to embrace their lives. We have talked about the easy things and the hard things of life. We have been through so much.

The question is are they ready. My answer is only this: God is in control. My job is changing. Ryan is still home, and we have a long way to go. Rebecca is in her senior year of college, and Ruth is beginning her first year. These girls make me proud to be their dad, and I want them to be as successful as possible, always safe and taken care of, experiencing the best of life and so much more.

Jeremiah 3:15 NLT

And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will guide you with knowledge and understanding.

NOTE:

Tomorrow is our annual Red Cross blood drive at The Community. Please join me and others from 2 to 7pm and give blood.

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

Search This Blog