Lee and I seem to have the gift of “pseudo-parenting” young people. We have developed very close relationships with Nick, Britt and Amber. Nick is in Tampa, has been able to beat leukemia and has recently gotten engaged to his long-time girlfriend. Brit is in Atlanta, in the Airforce Reserves and he and his wife Sarah are expecting in September. Amber is in Lake City. She was the manager at the Beef O’Bradys at Millhopper and has become the daughter I never had. She has also recently gotten engaged. Lee officiated Britt and Sara’s wedding and he will do the same for the other two. I’m sure by now you are thinking, “Who cares?”
I share this with you because often we feel as though as we age, we are less able to make a difference. We feel like maybe God doesn’t need us as much anymore. (Maybe this is just me settling into the 60’s.) If our heart is open to His calling, we can always make a difference. We must simply be available.
The sad part about these three kids is that they have grown up without a father figure. Two of them without a mother who nurtured and loved them. It has shown me how important our job as a parent is and how much grown kids need someone who loves them, someone they can go to for advice, or just cry with when things are falling down all around them.
I am so thankful for my parents. I have never ever doubted in my 60 years on earth that I was loved and a priority. (Even those times when I didn’t serve it.) Their unconditional love and support have given me the tools and abilities to parent my own child and to bring others into the fold. The Christian upbringing I received has worked to benefit others. That’s what we are called to do.
1 John 3:16-18 says: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
Because our kids are grown, doesn’t mean they don’t need us as much as they did when they were younger. Reach out, tell your kids you love them. Tell them how proud you are of them. Be that encourager. Your love for them multiplies and impacts others.
God is SO good!
Shine, Shine, Shine!
Tina