when all you can do is pray

I came to a revelation today. I know this is probably not news to a lot of you, but when your child goes off to college, and she is a thousand miles away, all you can do is pray...

To me this thought was both a reason for panic and a comfort. Let me explain. Every mom and dad throughout history will understand. After 18+ years of watching over and taking care of a child, suddenly, that child is no longer within our reach. We cannot rush to their side and "help" them. All we can do is pray...

But this initial feeling of panic is actually replaced by a feeling of comfort. Because really since the beginning, all we could do was pray. Our child has been in the palm of God's hand since day one. We were just under the illusion that we were there protecting them from the "bad things" that might happen to them. But really it has been God all along watching over them, protecting them, helping them.

So I am reassured that even though all I can do is pray, that will be sufficient because God can do so much more than that, in fact, He has been doing the parent thing for us all along, we just were not as aware of it as we are now that our child does not sleep in our house and eat at our table.

So, I challenge you (and myself) to become more aware of God's presence in our lives and in our children's lives. Lamentations 2:19 says: "Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children." Claim this verse with me; pour out your hearts, lift your hands, and TRUST GOD to take care of your child, family, friend, etc. Change the title of my post to "YOU CAN PRAY"

Bits of news

We attended a block party in Dalhart tonight. Music, food, and people.

Dave's installation as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Dalhart will be next Sunday, Sept. 27. My parents will be here visiting for the weekend. It will be great to show them around.

Vicki spent last weekend in DeMotte with my parents. She was glad for some good home cooked food and some time with family.

We are still getting to know people here and trying to figure out where and how God wants us to serve this community.

Thanks to everyone for your prayers and support. Keep in touch

Shannon