itsawonderfilledlife

June means the season of high school graduations and of weddings.

These are both events of our kids stepping further into their dreams, their futures and their lives. These times of celebration and ritual are opportunities in our parenting lives to further push them from the nests in which we have kept them protected and loved.

Our International student is graduating high school, and preparing for the next stage of his life with excitement and anxiety over the decisions that need to be made for his future.

One evening he was, quite simply, distraught with a decision between two universities. He had, wisely, asked many people for their advise as to which school to attend in the fall. In turn, they had (not so wisely) told him, definitively, which university was better. He was in a bit of a tailspin as to what to do. The people whose advice he sought, were ones who he trusted, yet, they did not all agree on which school would be better, for him.

Watching him that night was like watching a little bird curled up in the nest, not wanting to dare to move as he might not do it ‘right’.

I listened, and listened, and listened (he really likes to talk!), and then I gave him my advice (like he didn’t have enough already).

I reminded him that both schools were good schools … no academic lemon in either. Both schools would provide unique learning and social opportunities. And that his decision was only about one year of his life. There was not much ‘damage’ that one year could do to his future. And that God has plans to give him a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

As parents, and parent-figures, in the lives of those who have or are about to graduate, part of our push from the nest is the continued prayers for their souls.

“Most of all I want to know that you’re walking in the truth

And if I never told you, I want you to know

I pray that God will fill your heart with dreams

And that faith gives you the courage to dare to do great things.”

The Lord came and stood there,
calling as at the other times,
“Samuel! Samuel!”

Then Samuel said,
“Speak, for your servant is listening.”
1 Samuel 3:10

May we all, like the prophet Samuel, graduate in this life to say,

“Speak, for your servant is listening.”