Leaving the Nest

I just passed another milestone in life - my oldest son just recently moved to Virginia to go to school. That reminds me of a conversation I had with a friend a couple of years ago. I had heard that his son had moved out so I asked him about it to see how he was doing. He said "the two saddest days of my life were when my son moved out and then when he moved back in". I don't think he was serious :)

A lot of people have been asking my wife and I the same question: "How are you doing?". The funny thing is that we really haven't been that sad about it. Do we miss him? Terribly. But we're proud of the young man that he's become. We have enjoyed seeing him grow and mature and now it's time for him to make his own life. That shouldn't be a time of sadness, but of celebration. Obviously I'd like him to be right next door where I could just pick him up and go fishing anytime I want - but it's more important to me that God works His plan in Joshua's life. And I believe with all my heart that is exactly what He is doing.

His moving out has caused me to think about our Heavenly Father and what He expects from us, His children. C.S. Lewis has a wonderful quote concerning this subject in "Mere Christianity".

“Every father is pleased at the baby’s first attempt to walk: no father would be satisfied with anything less than a firm, free, manly walk in a grown-up son. In the same way, God is easy to please, but hard to satisfy.”

Just like we expect our children to grow and mature, God expects the same thing from His children. He is pleased with our feeblest attempts to serve Him and to keep His commandments. But He is never satisfied. He expects us to continue to grow and mature in Him and in His Word - to continue to be conformed to the image of His Son.

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So Joshua - this last part is for you.

I love you and I am proud to be your Dad. Whatever life brings for you, please always remember that there is one thing that matters, and you have to keep that one thing primary in your life. That one thing I want for you is this - that you will one day hear these words:

‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

Now go make your Heavenly Father proud.