Last night our high school like many high schools across the country had a football game. Dupree Tigers vs. the Harding County Ranchers (The tigers got beat but they played hard -- Go TIGERS!!).
And my youngest son Pete had to make a decision -- would he or would he not go to the football game with me and Hawk. He finally agreed to attend, so off he, Hawk and I went to Dupree. I drove over to the east side of the field and found a spot where I could sit in the Suburban and watch just in case it got too cold for me and Hawk (and it did -- we escaped the cold air at halftime). I asked Pete if he wanted to sit with us. I brought a chair for him. He said no. He wanted to be where most of the people were. So off he went with his cane toward the porta potty area. Now, Pete is slow with his cane. I mean really slow. He doesn't care. He takes his time. He looks around and takes a break every couple steps (not that he needs to, but because that's what he does).
Once I got my chair and Hawk set up and strapped in, I took the second chair over to where Pete was headed. I didn't want him sitting on the ground. And because I get impatient I then went back to Pete and carried him to the chair. I asked him if he was sure he wanted to sit by himself. He said yes. I then headed back to my chair and Hawken.
And what I wish I had a picture of is Pete from last night. Once he sat in his chair, kids came running. Almost the entire game he had a crowd of people around him. One kid even brought him hot chocolate. He was like a king and his court. T
Pete is my one kid I get concerned about. I don't know what he is going to do with his life once he graduates from high school. I know he is great with people and he could hold down a job and be very good at it if it is the right job, but he also has his CP which gives him quite a few challenges.
Last night while watching Pete, God reminded me that He has His hand on Pete. God reminded me that Pete is going to be okay. God reminded me He is always watching out for Pete. God reminded me that He isn't worried about Pete's future. And God reminded me that He has a great plan for Pete's life and that He is big enough to carry it out. If He needs my help He'll let me know, but mainly this plan will be carried out by Him and Pete. He doesn't need to give me the details (it's really none of my business).
All of this made me feel such peace (and gives me a smile as I write this).
Parents of adult kids, I know you worry about those adult kids of yours. This is needless stress for you. God has His hand on them. He is with them. He will provide for them. He is speaking to them. He isn't worried about their futures. Sure, there are times parents will help out their adult kids, but we shouldn't be too quick to do this. Make sure it is what God wants from you. If our kids see us as their Providers rather than Father God, this hurts them spiritually.
One of my adult kids lives three hours from me. The other one lives six hours from me. And I have done my share of worrying for both of them. For months I wept and worried over one of them. What grief I caused myself. God doesn't cause us to do this to ourselves. He calls us to pray and trust Him.
One of the very best things we can do for our kids no matter what their age is to live for the Lord faithfully.
Isaiah 59:21 says, "'And as for Me, this is My covenant with them' says the LORD; 'My Spirit which is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring's offspring,' says the LORD, 'from now and forever.'"
Deuteronomy 28:2,4 says, "'And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you will obey the LORD your God . . . Blessed shall be the offspring of your body"
God promises if we parents live for Him, our children will be blessed.
We may not be able to control what happens to our kids, but we can sure make sure this promise applies to us and them!