Well, this week begins a new chapter in life for me and my family. My youngest is moving out into her dorm for college. My, oh my, how the time just went by so fast. How in the world did 19 years fly by SO fast. Friends and family always told me that it would be gone before we knew it. Boy were they right. Wow!
There is such a sense of joy and excitement for my daughter and then such a sense of sadness like we missed so many things that we wanted to do with our children but haven't or didn't do them. This world can be so painful. There are so many things of this world that hurt and leave me longing for what's to come. I am SO thankful that I know the Lord Jesus as my Savior. I am SO thankful that I have peace in my heart to know that my wife and children also know Him. I don't know the plans that the Lord has for me but I don't have to worry what my eternity will be like. I know, without any doubts, that I will get to spend eternity with God in heaven. Not by anything that I have done or will do, but ONLY by what Jesus did on the cross. He paid the price for me and my sins.
I have just a couple more days before we pack up my daughter and move her in. I am so thankful for the time that we had her leaving with us. I am so thankful that God chose us to be her parents. I pray that we have prepared her well. I pray that she has learned from us all that she needed to. No, we are not the perfect parents but I pray that the most important things of this life have been instilled into her life.
Lord, please protect her and guide her every move and action. I pray for her to enjoy her time living on campus and making new friends and getting her degree. I pray for the plans you have for her to fall into place in the right times and moments. I pray for her future spouse. Whoever the young man may be, I pray for his heart to be in tune with you and that my daughter will have to go through you to get to him. I pray he loves her and takes care of her so much. In YOUR timing, I pray that you allow him to enter into her life, that is if he isn't already in her life.
Lord, please give her strength for each new day. Give her wisdom to accomplish the tasks you place before you. Give her the abilities to work her and do well in her classes. Help her to stand on her own knowing that you are right there with her and that her parents are always praying for her and wanting what's best for her. Lord...our faith is in you.
For our son, this will be new for him too. I bet that he is going to miss his sister. I bet that he won't show it, so please help my wife and I to be alert and attentive to his needs and recognize when he needs something. Lord, please help him to continue to mature and grow as a believer. I pray for his heart to be in tune with You. I pray for his to have a compassionate attitude and show grace and mercy to those around him. I pray for him to be the type of person that everyone wants to be around and strive to be like. I pray for him to love you with his whole heart. I pray for him to excel and do well in sports and to stay humble and give you the praise and glory for the things he completes. I pray for his future spouse. I pray that she is a kind hearted, God fearing young lady. I pray that she will be perfect for Luke and helping him to become all that you have created him to be.
Lord, lead Julie and me to live a life that is holy and pleasing to you. I pray for Julie's heart to find joy and peace in this new chapter. I pray for her to feel your protection over Jadelyn and for her to have no fears or worries. I pray for Julie to feel strength on the days that she feels tired. I pray that she turns to You for answers as well.
Lord...thank you for being a loving Savior. Lead us in this new chapter!
