This evening is a night I had expected to be trying to ease the concerns of my wife as our oldest son has left the nest of home for college. I thought that she would be expressing her concerns and talking of an empty place in the home. As we walked into the house the weight of the events began; but it wasn't my bride, it is me. I'm not concerned about him as much as I just miss my bud.
The past few months have been full of events that have comforted my heart and given me peace about where his relationship is with Christ. He has earned his eagle scout, received numerous scholarships, been recognized for his character and graduated as valedictorian. However, these things are not the real things that have impressed me the most about him. Our daily conversations had become more mature in nature and the subject matters became deeper each time we had a discussion. His knowledge of scripture increased so much that at times God would use him to humble me with his correction of a quote I would make or something of that nature. I saw my son engage in healthy debate of scripture and recently realized that he was listening to sermon podcasts on his ipod from the likes of Matt Chandler, Elliot Greene and Mark Dirscoll, because he wanted to.
Spread your wings, son. This is your time to fly into this world without me. Yes, you will be injured and wounded by the world, and also by fellow brothers and sisters. You can endure with God's help and the Holy Spirit will speak through your lips. Do as you have learned and have openly expressed yourself about what the church should do. Go,God's speed.
