It seems like only yesterday that we sent our three boys off to their first days of school. Like most parents, we experienced both the fears as well as the great expectations of what would lie ahead for them in the years to come. And they were good years with many good memories. Those days were filled with busy schedules. We attended their concerts, their athletic contests, parents' nights, award nights and all of the special events that are part of school years. And we prayed. But those years passed so quickly and before we knew it we were attending graduations.
Then it happened all over again. This time it was starting college and jobs and we watched our boys begin another chapter in their lives. Again we faced both the fears and the excitement of new adventures and I guess we prayed even harder. But those days also passed so quickly. More memories. And this time there were graduations, promotions and weddings.
But there was soon a third phase which this time involved grandchildren. We joyfully welcomed them and they enriched our lives. We had prayed for them long before they were born and we've never stopped. This phase involved preschools, often with concerts and programs. But once again time passed quickly and soon we were watching them go off to school for the first time. And soon their were more concerts, plays, games and award presentations. These made us so proud and enriched our lives. But these years are also passing so quickly and now we have begun to experience cycles of graduation once again Four of our seven grandchildren are now out of high school.
Then came another cycle - college for our grandchildren. And our prayers for them increased. These can be the best years of one's life, but they can also be the most challenging. Selecting a college and a major and then paying for it can be very stressful. There are many new challenges to one's beliefs and new temptations. Four of our seven are in various stages of this phase and it has been fun to watch them and pray for them. Their paths have each been a little different, although three chose to attend Lebanon Valley College. One of them is actually studying this semester in Spain and we have increased our prayer coverage for her.
And while we are still involved in these last two phases, we have begun another one. One of our grandsons has graduated from college and is now teaching and working on his doctorate in chemistry at Penn State. Within two years we expect that two more of them will join him as college graduates, entering this next phase of their lives. And we will continue to pray for each of them, and, as we have done for many years, for their possible future spouses.
God has been so good to us and has answered so many prayers concerning our children and grandchildren. These years have not been without some difficult challenges but they have been filled with good memories and much joy. But time flies by so quickly. We don't know if we will live long enough to experience more of these phases, but as long as we are able we will continue to pray and trust the Lord.
Growing old can be tough at times, but it is made a little easier when we remember how faithful God has been in answering prayers and providing what is needed. And remembering His presence and faithfulness in the various phases of life can give one the courage and confidence to keep going, knowing that God continues to hear and answer our prayers. And He allows us to be intercessors for our family as well as for others. And we are never too old for that ministry.
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