Sunday, August 22, 2010

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.

2 comments:

Dawn said...

Thanks for being such a wonderful husband and father; you continue to amaze me and our kids (and I) am much more grounded and stronger, and able to take on the challenges that come because of you.

Brent said...

Great reminder of God's love for us! I agree...I never think of Karina as being different even though she doesn't look like us. I see her as my own just like my other children....and she always will be just that, my child....just like once we're a child of God, we are always His.