What Have You Been Smoking?

Children Are Precious

A few folks from our church (Prospect Avenue Baptist) volunteered at the city of Santee's holiday event at Santee Trolley Square. Upon our arrival at 4:30 we learned that we were assigned to assist with skates at the synthetic skating rink. (I didn't even know they made plastic skating rinks.) We spent 3 hours helping the youngsters put on and take off ice skates. It was a bit tough on 50 year-old knees. But it was very refreshing to see so many sweet-spirited, polite children from our community.
It reminded me of a couple things: Children are precious to God and they should be to us. And children are a great responsibility - those kids had been taught by their parents to be respectful and to express gratitude. Thank God for folks who take their responsibilities as parents seriously.

Another Phase of Life

With each new phase of life I realize how little I actually know by experience. Over twenty years ago God gave me what would prove to be one of the greatest treasures in my life. He changed my life. And last week I had to wave good-bye to him. As I watched Ben's car disappear in the distance I cried my heart out, and for hours a scene kept looping through my mind of that happy little 4-year-old boy - shirtless, barefoot, with sun-bleached hair - calling out to me with glee in that sweet little kid voice. Where did the time go?

I know I always teach that we are raising them to leave us, but I don't think I ever really accepted that it would happen to me. He's only gone away to college. But he's a continent away. And he's starting his own life. Wow.

Thank you Lord for blessing me with Ben. Please take good care of him.