On Giving

My son has been pondering the possibility of purposely being homeless for a while after college. He has a whole list of reasons that may or may not be valid – I missed most of them because my mind was busy conjuring up all of the things that could go wrong. But, if this is something he chooses to do, I’ll let him.

Because I trust him. 

He’s grown into such a mature young man, and he’s learning to listen and step forward without hesitating. I hope to learn that lesson one day…

And I trust God, too.

Which is good, because no matter how much I look at my son in pride, I can still see all those stupid things that kid did while growing up, from eating cardboard to giving in to peer pressure. Sometimes he makes mistakes. 

But he’s always in God’s hands.

The last time he was home for a bit, he sat in a chair reading a book. “You should read this,” he said at one point. When he went back to school, he left the book out on the kitchen table. 

He’s in Nicaragua on a missions trip right now. The other day I was missing him, so in attempt to feel closer, I began digging into his book's pages, and once I picked it up I found it hard to put down. You should read it – Under the Overpass by Mike Yankoski.

It’s about a college student who took half a year off school to experience homelessness, to see firsthand if the church is meeting the needs of the homeless, and to truly depend on his God for the first time in his life.

Now, I’m at peace with my son’s decision – whatever he may decide. 

Not only is it his life to live, but it’s also the greatest gift he has to give to his God…

And now I’m challenged. What gift will I give?

What will I let go of to grow closer to my God?

And I realize that I’ve already given it.

Abba – I give you my son.

Thank You for the precious, priceless moments that You’ve allowed me to share with him – and for the ones still to come. I step back to let him step forward. Bless his hands, his feet, his tongue that You unlocked when he was three years old and couldn’t talk. Use him to advance Your kingdom here on earth – wherever, however, in whatever circumstances You choose. 

So I'm passing the challenge on. What will you give?