As I write this, we are three hours away from leaving to take you to college. Reflecting on your life, I remember your first cries, first steps, first words, first boo-boos, … plane rides… days at school… laughs… friends… disappointments… first hurts and on and on. As I do, I think that I remember the joys so much more than the hurts. And I am at great peace today.One reason I have peace is that today is the fulfillment of 18+ years of expectations. For your entire life, your mother and I have tried, to the best of our ability, to influence you for this day: a day in which you will demonstrate your independence of us and a new level of dependence on God and yourself. We have tried to model, teach, admonish and exhort you to make wise choices and depend on God in all things.
In my quiet time today, I read 1st and 2nd Timothy, and have a new understanding of Paul’s letter and the expectations and aspirations he had for Timothy. As you go to college, my daughter, my prayers for you will be:
- Let no one despise your youth; instead, you should be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 1 Tim 4:12 (HCSB)
- ...pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. 1 Tim 6:11 (HCSB)
- You, therefore, my [daughter], be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful [ones] who will be able to teach others also. 2 Tim 2:1-2 (HCSB)
