@Craig, thank you kind sir. I'm usually not big on poetry of any kind but this one was a nice reminder. Anne Voskamp actually made me look differently at poetry, with her heart melting, poetic words, lol.
Where have I been? Learning what it means to let go of "me". My oldest son is about to graduate and I've been learning what it means to watch yourself lose something of yourself...and finding out how to replace it with something....better.
Michael went to his prom with his girlfriend a couple of weeks ago. I didn't even cry. I was happy for him, though I was NOT a fan of this homeschool prom who's theme was "Casino Royale". I'm staunch. I'm black and white. Gambling bad ergo casino theme bad. However, there was no gambling there. Just decor with cards and dice. That's not even a good decor for a prom from a secular view, in my opinion. He looked quite handsome and his date was beautiful. I was seeing his picture pop on facebook at the prom. I was so pleased to see him dancing so appropriately with her. He behaved very gentlemanly with her. The other week, one of the leaders at our high school co-op stopped me to tell me that she had walked in on Michael with his girlfriend several times and they were ALWAYS behaving appropriately. She pointed out that she had never caught them showing PDA (public displays of affection). This blessed my heart!
He also took his SAT for his second time. I did well on his SAT the first time in the Reading and Essay portion, but his math was not so great. He's now finished Algebra 2, so he thinks he's made a much better score this time around in his math portion.
He has his graduation ceremony on May 27th but he is not finished with his schooling yet. He will have to work all summer in order to finish and he have to start school next spring seeing as he's probably going to miss the cut off time to apply to go to college. He's looking at many different colleges, but would like to attend a Christian college for at least a year or two. I'm encouraging that. What would it profit him to gain an education but to lose his own soul to sin or foolishness in the process?
Speaking of graduation, we wrote him a letter that will be read during his graduation ceremony. Want to see it? Here is a sneak peak:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Almost 18 years ago, you came into our lives and we had no idea what we were in for! As young inexperienced parents when we first held you we didn't know all the late nights, emergency room visits, and times we'd have to discipline you. We had NO idea home many tears we'd shed or prayers we'd pray for our little boy when we first looked into your adorable little face.
We also had no idea how much joy you'd bring us! We didn't realize how much fun or how smart you'd be. We had no idea how deeply philosophical you'd be. We really had no idea that you would develop such strong convictions, though we hoped you would. You did not dissappoint us. We are so very, very proud of you for the young man that you have become and for the young man we see you developing into. But nothing makes us more proud, or do we consider more important than when you gave your life to the Lord. What would it profit you, if you gained the whole world and lost your own soul?
Michael, you are reaching an exciting stage in your life! You have achieved a big step in God's plan for your life but there is so much more in store for you! We look forward to seeing you grow in the Lord as you attend college. And we cannot wait to see how you will serve the Lord with your life as an adult!
While we have your undivided attention, let us offer you just a bit more of unsolicited parental advice. Whether you succeed in life according to men does not matter. Whether you finish college, ultimately, does not matter. The only thing that really matters is this: That you love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and that you love your neighbor as yourself. God will never ask you how much you earned, how big your house was, or what kind of car you drove. All that will really matter...all that will really make you a success is whether you loved Him and other's as He commanded you to.
The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.
Congratulations Michael on your achievment!
Love Mom and Dad
6 comments:
Awwww, that is precious!!! Great job, Michael!! Congratulations!
What a beautiful post....Thanks for sharing a little of your heart. Blessings to you today.
Michelle, now if you could write this same exact message for me, and read it to me, and I could actually take in the truth of it – without doubt. I'd heart that. This last part of your letter to your boy – rather – young man. God will never ask you how much you made, or how big your house was, what kind of car you drove. All that will really matter… All that will really make you a success is whether you loved him and others as he commanded you to.
It's a very, very, very good thing that God won't ask me the first part – that part I’ve failed at pretty spectacularly - the second part – that one I'm okay with – not perfect – never perfect, but my heart has consistently sought after Him – and I love. I pray that your boy will too – although a big house for mama to visit the grandkids in wouldn’t be a bad idea. No? God bless you Michelle. Now give me some more words please and thank you :-)
Craig, you are a blessing! Thank you for your words of encouragement. Yes, I think if he learns those two things his life will be "happy". Who can be happy outside of those two things, eh?
Just want to let you know that I've been coming by to read more of your words. Your words are good. God Bless you and yours Michelle!
test
Post a Comment