Babies vs. teenagers

Today I've been with moms of new babies. I've seen their tired faces, but also peeked at the cuteness of the newborns. I can't help but remember the days my boys were tiny like that and how now, it seems life was so much simpler then...

Teenagers bring on their own kind of tiredness. I'm up late at night for different reasons now. They have their own minds, and don't always agree with how you want them to pursue life goals. You begin to wonder, did the values I tried to instill in these kids over the course of almost two decades (more with the oldest) take hold in any kind of way?

Then they clean their room, or the kitchen, or say thanks for something you did for them, or take the dog out without being asked, and you think, maybe something good rubbed off.

And then you think about your own life and your many imperfections, and you think, maybe something good rubbed off in spite of yourself. And maybe, in spite of all the frustrations and disagreements and wringing of hands, maybe things will turn out all right.

And you're thankful that you're not God and that your children are in God's capable hands. It's time, or almost time, to release them. We still give direction, we still pray, but they are God's children and he loves them even more than we do.

And I take great comfort in that. Because I can't rock them and feed them and change them like I could when they were babies. (Well, I can still feed them.) But I entrust them to the Rock who is the only one who can ultimately mold them and change them into His image.

Till next time,

Suzi

Why oh why?

Well, I tried to leave yesterday's post up an extra day, to see if that might help with comments. Nope. I am grateful for those who responded--Cheri, Tim & Rick--thanks! However, I can't seem to generate the kind of enthusiasm my sister Cheri gets in her comment section. Oh well, I am happy she has such a responsive readership.

It's the start of a three-day weekend. Last holiday for awhile--we don't get off for President's Day, so I guess I'll have to buck up. It was a rather exhausting week since I went in every day and things at the seminary were quite busy with students coming back for winter quarter. It's still pretty quiet on the college side, though--one professor is in Amsterdam for interim (January term), and one just left for two weeks in Israel/Palestine and then gets back for two days then leaves for Guatemala for a week. Our department chair will be leaving for Guatemala at the end of the month, one professor is still on sabbatical, and the other two are team teaching. So I'm keeping busy working on various publications/communications--updating, etc. etc.

Christina had three friends spend the night. The only reason I know for sure (she did tell me they were coming) was that I saw three bodies in the family room this morning and a different car parked outside. Christina was sleeping alone in her room. I guess the others crashed in the big room. Reminds me of when Mark used to have friends all over the place, sleeping in various nooks and crannies. Our house is full again--Luke and Mark are just starting to stir as well.

Well, I better get my shower in before I have to compete with four teenage girls. Yikes! See ya later...

Till next time,


Suzi