A Son Is Leaving Home

One of my sons is leaving home tomorrow. This is now the second one to leave the nest. How does it feel? Though words may be able to describe it, you need to experience it yourself to understand it.

When my first one was leaving, my dominant thoughts were towards God. It went something like this :

"O God, this son is Your son before he became mine. You have given him to me for a season to care for him, to teach him, to nurture him. I know I have not been a perfect parent, but You know that I have done the best I could.

Now the time has come for me to release him. He can no longer be under my watchful eye anymore. The chains now has to be cut. The door now has to be opened. I free him and give him back to You. Henceforth, he will be directly under Your care, Your protection. Thank You for the opportunity and the priviledge for the work of parenting him which you have entrusted to me."

I have recently been asked by someone what is my goal/ambition for my child. I only have one goal and desire for each of time. That their lives will bring glory to God. That they may lead their lives fully under His guidance, that they daily walk with Him. That they fulfill what God meant them to be. That they know Him and walk with Him.

Christian parents are given such a priviledge, to be the spokesperson for God, Who is their true eternal Parent when the child still did not know Him.

Parenting is never easy. What more when we ourselves are so imperfect in many of our ways. We have so many struggles of our own. Yet, what is truly amazing to me is that when my heart desires God's will for the children, He works out all for good in spite of all my failures! How could we not but adore such a God!

The Scripture tells me that the descendants of the righteous will be blessed. What is the greatest inheritance and treasure we can leave to our children? Houses and lands? Condos and cars? Gold and silver? Perhaps high moral teachings? Excellent knowledge? A thriving business? Grandmother's recipes :)?

Yes, we have so many things we would desire to leave for our children. But these only pales to be insignificant and meaningless 'treasures' as compared to a inheritance of faith in God. For when we leave them the inheritance of God Himself, we have given them everything. I desire nothing less for them.