Falling Trees, Trembling Knees

Daddy climbing as high as he dare go...

A few cutting lessons...

Away I go...

I almost felt like crying when I watched by oldest, 16 year old son, cut down his first tree!  It seems like it was only a few moments ago that he was cutting his first tooth!  He's growing and maturing and such a joy and a blessing to be around.  What a gift that God has bestowed upon us by placing him in our home. 

We start out parenting with so few skills and hopefully down on our knees.  We begin to learn and grow right along side of our children the entire way.  All I can say to new parents is TRUST GOD: He alone is worthy and His wisdom never fails.  Love never fails.  You will fail and falter and want to give in at times, but don't give up.  Don't think that what you do is not going to effect future generations.  Your children are always watching and learning even when you feel like you haven't finished your tasks for the day, you'll have finished the task God set before you: Being faithful to be there, being available, trying to love unselfishly, and training up your children to love the Lord and their fellow man.

When you receive well meaning advice from Dr.'s, friends, family, or the latest in modern parenting trends, always go back to Scripture to make sure you're not being deceived.  When you're not sure which path to take, move forward cautiously, but do move forward. 

The seasons of parenting change as the children grow and when they are young, they need constant supervision and training.  What you put in, you will reap bountifully. They will also. As they get older, you will find that you will have worked yourself out of a job and they will operate in beautiful independence of godly character. 

I can tell you that the teenage years are no sweat if you put the time in when they're young!  Yes, they still have sin natures and attitudes at times, but it is NOTHING like the world portrays a teenager as being.  Ours are helpful, caring, confident, loving and trustworthy individuals, Praise God for his grace and wisdom down through the years!

Now, lest you think I feel I've arrived, I do not.  There's still lots of years of maturity left, following God's lead in their life, whether that be college or work experience, or both, or finding their life's passion and work, settling into married life, etc  I'll be learning right along with them, changing and growing more Christ-like while still burdened by this flesh, but rejoicing at what God will and can do in each of their lives and our own.

What a great honor and privilege to follow the Lord Jesus Christ even in this 21st Century!