Ponderings......

Dealing with two young adults and one closely behind has been challenging sometimes.  Don't get me wrong, our kids are amazing.  They are responsible and hard-working.  They aren't living in the world with drugs, booze, and promiscuity.  I have been MIGHTILY blessed.  However, it still is hard.  Every one of us stands on the precipice of belief.  We HAVE to do this -- there is no other way for us to walk in faith than to choose it for ourselves.  Yet as each of my children reaches the lip of the canyon my heart hangs there with them suspended over a yawning cavernous mouth that would readily swallow them up in a world view that is not Godly. 

What will they choose?  Will they walk in faith and seek the Lord with all their heart.  Will they lay aside what the world tells them they SHOULD and NEED be and have to pursue the way that is hard?  Walking with the Lord is not for cowards; the faith that it requires is immense.  Your life is no longer yours as you empty yourself and let God refill you with His purposes and plans.  When Scripture talks about daily dying to self it is not an exaggeration. 

The process of raising Godly men and women is also difficult.  There are discussions and arguments.  My children are extremely intelligent.  They won't blindly follow nor would I want them to do that.  Yet I also want to compel them.  All I can do is continue to point them to the Scripture - to the Truth.  My opinions, thoughts and persuasions are not going to change their hearts.

So I have to step back, take my hands off my children and lift them heavenward in prayer as I watch my children stand at the brink. 

As I was praying following another discussion with one of my children this last week I was reminded of the heart of our Heavenly Father.  He has tarried in this same place with each soul through thousands of years, just as I have tarried and cried out for the hearts of my seven.  I don't know how He can bear it.   Free will........ it must be given.  There is no real love, there is no real faith if not freely chosen. 

So hard..... to wait, to watch. to long for their hearts. 

So thankful and grateful for a Heavenly Father that gave me this ominous gift of free will, so grateful that I chose.  So grateful that He entrusted me with seven of His children and now I wait praying...... may they also choose Him.  May they walk in His way.......