Seasons

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:” Ecclesiastes 3:1

I hope that you will indulge me for today’s blog, for as I write it, my firstborn is in the hospital with his wife awaiting the arrival of his first child, a son. I will soon be in the car heading to Sherman to meet this long awaited, long prayed for, sweet baby boy. As I have been looking back through pictures of Allen, reflecting on his life, God has been speaking joy to my heart, and I thought I would take this chance to speak a word of encouragement to parents who are in the “thick of it” with their children.

Parenting is NOT easy…ever…really…it’s not. There are moments of complete and utter joy, interspersed with moments of heart-rending pain, moments of panic, moments of overwhelming pride, moments of despair and plenty of moments of fatigue. But easy? No, I think not. But as a mama of adult children, I want to tell you that it is all worth it.

I have been looking back through 32 years of photos of my son, remembering all the good times, the laughter, and even the hard times.  I remember the many nights pacing the floor with a crying baby, praying for him…and praying for wisdom for me! I remember wondering who he would grow up to be. Then my mind fast forwards to those moments where I had to choose to let go and let him make his own mistakes and be ready to guide him when he fell. I remember the hard times when tears fell like rain, both his and mine. Yet, it’s funny how so much of the hard has faded into a dull memory while the joy and laughter still shines brightly. I find myself chuckling at all the happy moments, the funny things he said and did.

I watched him become a man who sought after God as he became a doctor and started out on his own life. I also hurt with him as he waited for God to bring him the right partner in life. Then rejoiced when it “finally” happened. (I think he thought she would never come along.)

And now, here I sit, about to go meet his firstborn son. All those years of laughter and tears are gone in but a breath. Something that seemed to be so long and hard when you are in the middle of it is really just a brief moment in time. So, my message is to all you parents out there who are in the middle of the daily work of parenting: Hang in there! God will give you what you need for today. Rest in Him. Trust Him. Pray through it all. Know that whatever the current hard is, it is just for a season. God’s got you!