Tuesday, June 23, 2009

An encourager

Emery spent 3 days with me just before they moved to Tennessee. I decided her gift is encouragement. And gratitude too. All weekend long she kept saying things like - "Good job driving Gramma." or "Good job making pancakes Gramma." or "Thank you for Emmy helping with cookies!" or "Thank you for finding ice cream man, Gramma." Life is pretty rich when she is around!

Monday, June 15, 2009

I can say goodbye, because . . .

I haven't blogged in a while. Technically this isn't a blog, but it sums up some recent thoughts, so I share it with you as well as Kevin.

Written for Kevin on June 15, 2009

I Can Say Goodbye, Because . . .

When you were just born and it was time for you to go back to the newborn nursery,
I could say goodbye because I knew in just a few minutes you’d be back in my arms. I also knew that you were in the arms of God.

And on your first Sunday home with us, we took you to church and dedicated you to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

When you were my precious growing baby I would leave you in the church nursery while we were in the service. I could say goodbye because I knew in just a couple hours you’d be smiling at me again. I also knew that you were in the arms of God.

And I prayed with you the day your name was written in the Book of Life when at the age of three you asked Jesus to come and live in you.

When you were only four I took you to nursery school so you could play with other kids. I could say goodbye because I knew it wouldn’t be long and you’d be home with us again. I also knew that you were in the arms of God.

And at home and at church we did our best to teach you the ways of God.

When you went to school each day I could say goodbye because I knew we’d see you again at the end of the day. I also knew that you were in the arms of God.

And from grade school right up to high school I saw you grow and struggle and love your Lord and become more like Him.

When it was time for summer church camp I could say goodbye for the week because I knew in just a few days you’d be home again. I also knew that you were in the arms of God.

And in your senior year I watched the call of God begin to take place in your life.

That summer you left to be a counselor at Lone Tree Bible Camp. I could say goodbye because I knew in just a few short months you’d be home again. I also knew that you were in the arms of God.

And I watched you grow in the strength of the Lord as God confirmed His call on your life.

Then you left home to marry Jenn and I could say goodbye because you were still in Albuquerque and our family had grown to include your beautiful, wonderful wife. I also knew that you both were in the arms of God.

And I watched you grow to become a man of God. A man who loves your wife and your daughter with the love of the Lord. A man who seeks to serve his Savoir wholeheartedly. A man who is courageous and strong in the might of the Lord. A man who is willing to forsake all to follow the call that God has on your life in Clarksville, Tennessee.

So tomorrow you leave Albuquerque and the times that I can be with you will be rare and precious to me. But I can say goodbye because no matter how often or how little our paths cross in this life I know you are in the arms of God.

And I know that we all are in the arms of God. His plan is unfolding, marvelous and rich and glorious. His plan for you and beautiful Jenn and precious Emery and wonderful Little-One-On-the-Way. And His plan for me. You have taught me much about the love of God, His richness, His endless pursuit of us and His awesomeness throughout your life Kevin. I am blessed to call you son. I am blessed to have dedicated you to God and come to see that He has done exceedingly abundantly above all I could have asked for or thought of in my prayers for you. May His Name be praised forever!

1 Cor 16:13-14 “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.”