“… But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
This time of the year will be sweet and even just a bit bitter for many parents/grandparents as their little one has now become a young man/woman graduating from high school … and college … and we collectively take a deep breath and wonder how in the world did the time pass so quickly!
For those of us who have lived for any amount of time, the truth we must reconcile with is that life here on earth is not forever. James tells us in James 4:14, “Life is a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” How often is it said to new or expecting parents, ‘Enjoy your kids because they grow up way too fast.’ They nod without understanding just how quickly!
“Good parents give their children Roots and Wings. Roots to know where home is, wings to fly away and exercise what’s been taught them.” – Jonas Salk
Isaiah 40:31, a familiar and often quoted passage of Scripture depicts what the God and Creator of all can and will provide to those who choose to serve Him wholeheartedly. And it is priceless and always available.
Eagles learn to fly like other birds do by instinct and imitation of their parents. Parents teach their young eagles how to fly and practice around their nests. Stretching their wings and hopping to a neighboring limb is one of the most common ways they train.
We only have two brief decades to help each of our children to be transformed into honest and caring people of faith that is their own, so wisdom, perseverance, and commitment must be applied … every day of those two brief decades!
As a parent we will find ourselves looking in the mirror often, from the day we bring them home from the hospital … sit down on the couch … and look at each other and our new baby … our child … loaned to us by God … and we wonder how we will do along the journey.
How do we intend to bring up our child or our children so that they can have the right kind of impact on a world that has largely chosen to diminish and disregard the God of Heaven?
It is true that a child makes a lasting impact on the hearts and lives of a mother and father … but it is also true that it is our privilege … yea … duty … to bring them up “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).
It is out of this continual “nurturing and admonishing” of the Lord’s existence, revealed will, and divine guidance and protection that we pray will enable our precious treasure to “leave the nest” and fly out into the world we all live in and fulfill God’s purposes for them.
God designed our children, all children, to be a blessing! And with every blessing … there comes a corresponding responsibility. Will there be challenges … absolutely! Will they be perfect in every way … no way!
The greatest thing we can do for our kids in providing roots to establish stability and wings to fly into the world as “children of God” … is to teach them by word and example to live all of life in view of Heaven!
The “trust in God” factor is of premium significance and a continual source of “hope” for believers. While others can be helpful … it is God alone who will offer the comfort and help needed to move forward in word and example before the eyes and ears of our children!
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10) Start running Dad … get going, Mom!
Bill Fairchild, Jr.
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