Raising Kids

As your children grow up, you often wonder if you did your job to prepare your kids for life. Our oldest left home for college a week ago and due to current circumstances, it was difficult to let him go. Our family is going through a lot right now and I did not realize how much I relied on him to talk to and lean on until he was gone. Early in the week, we exchanged e-mails and I had one of those comforting realizations that he was ready to face life's challenges. To have that peace of mind is so wonderful. I am sure he will make mistakes as I did, but his head is straight and his heart is good.

Children are such a blessing from God. I was told something in the past 10 days that hurt. It hurt because it came from a good Christian person and it hurt because I realized there are good Christian people that still do not get "it". This well meaning person that I have great respect for referenced "my kids" and "my adopted kids". I don't see my family that way. I have my wonderful wife and six wonderful children. I am adopted into God's family through Jesus Christ. God does not look at me (nor you) any different than His other children so why would I ever look at my children differently? I try my best to share the love the Father has for me with my wife and children - unbridled, unending, unconditional love. I had hoped others understood that love, but I guess I have not done my job well enough.

Family Update

On July 26, our oldest daughter Christina was admitted to the hospital. She came home two days ago (Friday) and is still in recovery mode but doing well. Friday was also the day Jeremy went off for school. It is odd not having him around. He will do well I just hate that his last week home for the summer was such a mess. Dawn and I were in and out of the hospital and did not get to spend much time with him.

The four youngest and I are in a play at a church here in town. Because of all things happening in our life right now, I first looked at this as a hassle, but the message is good and it has done me good to just listen - God is there and He is in control.

Two weeks back, we did go and have our fingerprints scanned at CIS in Birmingham. I guess we may hear of something soon on the matter.

About seven or eight years ago, I heard an adult speaking to our youth at church and he commented, "If the devil isn't messing with you, then you need to be questioning your life and the path you are taking." Sounds like a strange message, but I have come to learn how very true that statement is.