Don't Give Up

When I think of my oldest son, I think of the little 18 month old boy that came into our lives running at full speed.  It was hard to catch up to him and sometimes I struggled just keeping up with the fast pace he has set for us as parents.  We were like anyone else who knew nothing about how to raise a child for the Lord properly.   We struggled with questions like, "are we doing it right?"  "what should we be doing differently?"  "why do I feel like I am going to snap and go crazy?".

Over the last 4 years we have had times of joy and times of feeling like we were drowning.  All of this was was God's way of growing us.  As I look back now on the last +4 years we have had our son, I see a maturity in his life taking place.  It's been a slow gradual process but I see it growing and it is up to us to keep teaching him. 

This summer he took swimming lessons and what started out as fear later turned into confidence he needed to know that he can do it.  When he started school he drew the above picture of him swimming.  The smile on the boy shows how proud and confident he is becoming.  I look at him and I know that he is happy.  He has a love for life I haven't seen in someone for a long time.  He is passionate for life and I hope he keeps that.

So just when I start to realize how he is growing, I find out how much he is really growing.  His teacher from the church summer program approached us last night and told us he was 1 of 7 that has the opportunity to go on a train ride coming up soon.  They get lunch and will also be able to watch someone make fudge.  She went on to tell me that there were 24 kids in the program this summer and he placed 2nd.  {What? 2nd?}  I think my mouth dropped wide open in surprise.  He placed 2nd!  I couldn't believe it.  I knew we had worked on his verses with him, but I can't take all the credit.  He has a memory like you would not believe.  He picks out details on things and remembers them.  I was so proud of him working so hard.  I'm excited that he gets the opportunity to go on a train ride and on his birthday weekend! 

This summer God has been working on him about salvation.  He wants to get saved, but he doesn't quite understand it all fully.  He can tell you exactly everything he needs to know, but his heart hasn't quite connected with that knowledge he is a sinner.  It's been exciting to see my son grow up.  Pretty soon I believe God will call him to repentance, but until then, I am waiting and watching him become a young man.

So just when you think your children won't get it, wait a little bit.... they are... sometimes we just need to be a little more patient with them and let God take the lead.  And of course, love on them.  Children need to know by touch and by verbal affirmation that you love them.  Just when I feel like I am not making headway, God shows me that we are. 

By the way, do you know he wants to be a missionary back to Russia?  Well this and the other things he wants to be.  I'm just praying God will lead him there to make a difference in his birth country, Russia.