804
2 years, 2 months and 13 days
The number of days we have my boys living in our home as full-time high school students.
Not enough.
So much to cover with them before the 804 days are up.
Do they know how to wash their clothes, balance their check book, fill out an application? Do they know their social security number by memory or their Mama’s birthday? Will they be able to fill up their car with gas and buy clothes which fit and are a good “deal”?
Do they have a favorite Bible verse to carry them on their days’ journeys? Will they remember to write home?
Can they iron? Can they cook? Do they know to treat every single girl they ever date like “china in the cabinet”?
Do they know where their Bible is? Do they know how and do they pray?
Are they prepared? Will they be ready?
I sat tonight in the car awaiting the ending of football practice for Kenton and baseball practice for Johnson. I sat at the peak of both fields and thanked God for the blessings of my children. They have been the harbingers of great joy and some sorrow. More the former than the latter. Thank you, God.
There is something about watching your sons exert themselves on a ball field with their peers at the set of the sun which brings prayer to a mother’s lips.
And memories….precious, sweet memories.
I remember trying so hard to get pregnant with my boys. It was an expensive endeavor in many different ways. It was costly to our bank account, our emotions and my physical body. I remember finally being pregnant and daily walking around the track at Southern Hills Methodist Church in Lexington, KY and praying. Praying for their lives. Praying for their spiritual growth, their physical well-being, their hearts.
I was such a grateful woman.
I am still a grateful woman.
My children, they are not perfect. But, they are the very best of their Dad and me.
And, while they distress me at times as teenagers are “wont” to do to their parents, I believe they have great hearts.
I have faith in them.
I believe with all of my heart that at the end of the day, they will remember whose child they really are.
His.
I believe this because I claim His promise that if we pray with faith that He will answer our prayers. Will it always be easy? No
Will it always be neat and tidy? No
Will I want to give up? Yes
Will I feel like a failure? Yes yes
Am I a Mom who believes their children can do no wrong? Absolutely not. I know they are wrong-doers.
But, I do not give in to that thought.
Because I have faith. I know that they are never alone. I believe that the many, many prayers Ian and I pray on their behalf, their grand parents, their Aunts and Uncles…their friends parents and probably many of you.
I believe these prayers will be answered.
And, I believe when the times comes, that yes, they will be “ready”…maybe not fully blown ready, but age appropriate ready.
And so, tonight, as I sat alone and watched my sons tackle their friends and kick dust as the sun set, I made a commitment.
If I am sincere.
If I really believe that our prayers, my prayers make a difference in the lives of my own three children, then why would I not cover their friends in prayer as well?
I mean, I have prayed for all of their friends at one time or another as we mothers have shared our worries and concerns, hurts and joys.
So, I started looking.
I looked to my right…the football field. I saw Ethan and Vanmeter and Clay and Bradley. I looked to the left and saw Scott and Thomas and Chase. I saw Tanner B. and Bo and Luke.
Fields full of the faces of boys I have grown to love. Years of spending time coming to know them and their parents. Know them in ways you get to know people with whom you share a lot of time.
And so, I got out my pen and paper and started making a list.
I wrote down their names one by one….
And, I prayed.
And, I committed to praying often.
I believe in the power of prayer. I believe in the power of praying for my children and I am committed to believing in the power of praying for my children’s’ friends.
I have 804 more days.
I want to see how long my list can grow as I add names….
Duncan, Devon, Tanner F., Patrick, Connor, Kivo, D’Love, Kevin….
Lucas, Patrick, Nick, Elliott, Zack, Joey, Malik, Brian, William….
And, even more exciting to me is to knowing that I don’t even have to know what to pray for each of these boys….HE knows what they need.
But, I believe that there is something precious when you lift up a child in this way.
So, I will….for at least the next 804 days.
Join me?
Blessings,
Lesa
S. There are a few Coaches I'll be adding as well:)
