Choices


Over the last three years, my youngest son has been contemplating enlisting into the Royal Canadian Army. He is now twenty, and decided this summer it was time. We just received a call today that he will be starting his training at the end of September. This means he will be going to Ontario and leaving home for about three years.

As a mom, I am trying to be brave (not showing to much emotion) and encouraging (not saying to much concerning how I really feel.) My husband is being strong and encouraging with his counsel. It is terribly hard sometimes to let your children make choices for their lives that are contrary to what you want for them. I believe, God is in control of my son's life, and this decision will be for God's glory.

One more thought in closing: Over the last few years I have felt a need to either write prayers in a book to share with others or to start a prayer blog. I am not alone in this heart passion. I personally had kept a hard prayer journal for 12 years. I have added a link to my new blog dedicated to prayer and God's word (Feeding a Hungry Soul.) On that site there are other links to friends blogs who have a similar heart call. If you have a prayer blog please let me know and I will add it to the link.

Love Robin

Comments

Lora said…
Our oldest daughter and I were just talking this evening about the Lord's leading in her life for her life work. I am trying to be brave and encouraging too! Like you, I also believe that God is in control. May God get all the glory!

Blessings to you!
6:28 pm
sojourner said…
I know how you feel about your son. I have 3 and each of them wanted to join the military. Eventually they changed their minds. I was relieved; but, I often feel guility over my selfish desire to keep them home. May you see God's work all over your son's life and may that vision make you brave!
11:37 am
Robin said…
Lora it is good that your can sit with your daughter and talk about where God is leading her concerning her life work and choices...My son has totally pushed into this choice. I know it will be my prayers and faith that under grid him all the way!

Sojourner you are amazing! Here I thought you where young like 20 something with no kids! You have three sounds like we could close in age! I can see God's work all over my son! Another situation in my life to keep me humble and on my knees.

Thank you dear sisters in Christ for your encouragement.
2:50 pm
Warren Baldwin said…
This is hard! It makes me think of what it must be like for God to watch us take our first steps. Does he wonder where we will step, and if we will come back? He knows our every anxiety. God bless.
11:20 pm
Anonymous said…
you are an excellent parent
11:54 pm
Cynthia said…
I am walking through this with you. My son has decided to join the Navy and likely will be going into training this fall. I am proud and afraid...but Philip is a great young man who is seeking a life with purpose. This is how he feels God is leading. I cannot let my own fear hold him back!
7:09 pm
Robin said…
Two Finches will he be going to Comox, B.C.? He is going into the Canadian Navy correct? My eldest son went through the training at Comox but then decided it was not for him. I believe, my youngest will continue on and do very well He is a bright young man who knows what he wants to do. He is my baby so I am having my mama issues of letting go. I know in the depth of my heart that God will get his heart in the army. They asked him what kind of Bible he wanted to take an oath on. When does your son leave? My son goes to Quebec on September 28.

Cindy thank you for the compliment but at times I do not feel like a great parent. However, my son knows we love him.

Warren, you are right how hard it must be for God to watch us as we choose our own way and not his. Thank you for the blessings.

Twofinches thank you for walking along side and thank you to all of you! I was praying Mike would go into the navy but he has always wanted to go into the army. He just finished a commercial cooking class and refuses to be a cook in the Army. He want to be on the front lines...go figure.

We are proud of him. It is hard never the less to walk along side watching our children make mistakes, but the triumphs are worth celebrations.
7:33 pm
Lauralee Beth said…
I have a specific post you could add if you wanted to. You could also check it out yourself too if you'd like. I think it is fitting and is really good words. The link is

http://faithlovepeacejoy.blogspot.com/2009/07/on-beautiful-summer-day.html
9:42 am
Peter Stone said…
Wow, that's a significant step your son is taking, and you are so right about God being in control. But it is hard, watching these things and not knowing the outcome.
Oh, the joys I have to look forward to when my kids get (a lot) older.
God bless :)
5:26 am
RCUBEs said…
I just prayed for you and I wanted to let you know I appreciated your visit and comment. I did answer your comment at my site. Blessings to you sister. "God is always near!"
11:12 am
Robin said…
Thank you RCUBEs, I have my moments of fear entering my blood with the what if's. I can not go there. I need to believe God has him in care.

Blessings to you also!
11:48 am
sarah said…
It is so hard for mothers to hold the frightening and difficult choices their children make. I just try to keep in my heart that this life is not all there is, and so fears and sorrows that I have for now are but passing clouds across eternity.

Having said that, I am sorry for the sadness you are surely going through.
9:15 pm
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Open Wide Your Heart

Image
I really do not have time to write on my blog today, but writing is important and so is the blogging community in which I belong. Over the last few month’s I have been slowly going through Henri Nouwen’s book, Home Tonight , this book is a guide to finding our spiritual home in Christ. In the third chapter, a quote from Oriah’s book, The Invitation , inspired me to write. Her genre or label is under spiritual teachings, which could mean anything that goes (new age), but from a Christian view point her poem touched my heart and has lead me into deep reflection of what I ache for in my life. It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing. Oriah I have the same convictions in my daily life when I am around people. I long to hear what they are passionate about, what they long for in their life, and what core ache goes unmet. When I am visiting my friends who are retired the topic of what they
Read more

Thoughts from Philippians 1:3-11

Image
Blogger is losing my words today! It is good to be back into routine, however it was good to get away from the daily demands. I am posting a few points from the sermon I will be giving tomorrow night at a seniors service in my community. The title of my sermon is "Thanksgiving and Prayer"--It is Thanksgiving on Monday here in Canada. Philippians 1:3-5 Point One: Paul viewed the past with a thankful heart to God. In this passage, Paul demonstrates how to view the past by having a thankful heart towards God for all that he has been given. He was able to be content because when he looked at the past he did so with a thankful heart. He recognized that in Christ he was able to do all things and the key was to be thankful for God’s direction and the encouragement he received from other believers. Philippians 1:6-8 Point Two: Paul viewed the present with confidence in what God is doing. As Paul remembers and thinks about the Christians in Philippi, he was flooded with emotio
Read more

The six "I will" statements from Psalm 118

Image
1. vs 6 "I will not be afraid." 2. vs 7 "I will look in triumph on my enemies." 3. vs 17 "I will not die but live." 4. vs 17 "I will proclaim what the Lord has done." 5. vs 19 "I will enter and give thanks to the Lord." 6. vs 21 "I will give Him thanks." When a spiritual battle is raging around us, we need to remember who is with us. We need to keep our eyes focused on Christ. God is always with us, he is our helper when conflict and spiritual warfare is upon us. When we are steadfast in our faith, and focused completely on Jesus we will be able to say as the Psalmist has written, "I will..." In the name of the Lord, we will have victory over our enemies in this world, as we remember to say "I will..." With Love Robin Be sure to check out the inspirational writings at Spiritual Sundays . Thanks to Ginger and Charlotte for hosting this site and encouraging us today to seek the Lord.
Read more