A cliche I’ve heard a hundred times over the years. Words of wisdom shared with me from parents who had kids older than mine. An adage that I’ve believed but never really felt until recently.
My oldest, Evelyn, turned 18 last month. She graduates High School next month. And she will be leaving “the nest” in August to head off to college. Where did the time go? As much as I was warned of this, I’m just not ready for it.
As I sit in all the emotions that swirl around this impending reality, God has led my heart to a place of peace and rest built firmly on His promises and His faithfulness. Scripture declares that our God is a God of generations.
Exodus 3:6 “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”
Deuteronomy 7:9 “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.”
Psalm 103:15-19 “As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all."
At 43 years old, I look back and see the overwhelming faithfulness of God all over my life. I would not be who I am today if not for our faithful God’s mercy, grace, guidance, protection, discipline…His steadfast love. As I consider my children’s futures, I can be 100% certain that God will be faithful to them as well. He has said it; He will surely do it. As I learn to let go of “my plans” for their futures, I will not let go of the promises of God. No matter what path their lives take, whether it’s what I would choose for them or not, their lives are in His hands and covered by His promises. I am convinced, based on the evidence of God’s faithfulness to me, that wherever He allows their paths to go, it will be for their greatest good.
Your situation probably isn’t the same as mine (unless you also have an 18-year-old about to fly the coop) however, this truth from Scripture covers all of our lives. He has been faithful then, He will be faithful now. He is the God of covenant, the God who rules over all, He is our Heavenly Father, we are His children, and He will not fail us! I pray that your heart and soul can rest in His steadfast love for you, your children, and your children’s children. (download the PDF to see pictures of Evelyn)
