Good morning…
My husband and I both gave our own blessing to our youngest child as we took him to college on Saturday. At our son’s request, I made him three large homemade Stromboli’s to share with his three roommates on their first evening in their new apartment.
My husband also gave the blessing of words, personally presented at an opportune time. As we sat outside eating burgers at a cool restaurant in Athens, my husband handed him this envelop.
We sat quietly, peaceful, as he read to himself these loving words:
Jeremiah,
If there’s one thing we want to offer you as you finish this chapter of your life it’s this: Pay attention to your inner life.
Look you’ve got the outer life well in hand. You’re a happy, handsome, beloved, well-respected guy. Your friends love you. Your teachers and coaches think you’re fantastic. We love you. From the outside looking in you have so much going for you. We can’t offer you much more on that front.
What we want to offer has more to do with the part of you that most people can’t see. That’s the part that we’ve seen in you over the years. Whenever we have talked about the deeper things of life we’ve sensed that you appreciated those discussions. It has been apparent to us that you desire to grow spiritually. We believe that you have a heart for nurturing your soul. Listen to that calling. Find a way to pursue that.
We have no doubt that you will enjoy college; the new friendships you’ll make, whatever major you choose, the parties you’ll attend and the relationships you’ll build. We’re excited for you to have all those experiences. Remember however, to find a way to feed the inner part of you. God has great things in store for you, but to tap in most fully to his design for your life you’ll need to find a way to grow his spirit within you. It will not always come as easily as some of the other things in your life. It will take some time and intentionality. Carve out some time and be intentional about devotionals/prayer. Look for a group of guys who also desire some of the deeper things in life. They’re out there, look for them. Not only will it bless your life but you will be a blessing to others just as you have blessed us.
Congratulations on all that you have done and all that you have accomplished. We will miss your daily presence in our lives, but you have left your mark on us. We love you.
Love, Mom and Dad
Our son was truly touched. The three of us sat for awhile at a table by an unfamiliar sidewalk, talking through some of the high moments of happiness shared over the years and some of the really low moments that gave way to great learning. We all get a big handful of memorable moments in life, this lunch will remain one to cherish.
We have prayed for each of our four children for years, praying that God finds a way to grow his strong Spirit within them. Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love (Ephesians 4:14-16, NLT).
Out of sight yet still in mind, our daily prayers for our loved, launched children will follow them wherever they go.
…Sue…
