July 26, 2023 “I’ll eventually run out of things to write about,” I said to a colleague and friend several years ago. I was describing exactly what I’m doing at this moment – writing this column. My friend’s response: “You know your life will continue to change, right?” “My life’s not that exciting. It doesn’t change much,” I came back. I hate when this friend is right. I thought about my friend’s wisdom as I prepare to go get my son, Jake, from his first week doing Teen Vision, sort of a junior counselor program for older campers at Camp Guggenheim. He left Sunday and comes home today (Friday). He’ll be home from Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon, and he’ll return to camp for week 2 of Teen Vision. After that week, he’s home for one week before returning to camp for Week 6, the week for older teens. Our house is teen free for three of four weeks. Feel free to judge my parenting, but it was really, really nice for the first two days. It was nice being able to talk about adult topics or planned surprises without fear of younger ears hearing. It was nice knowing that box of cereal I bought will still have some product left in it when I go to get some. After those first days, it felt weird. Our house was eerily quiet. I almost didn’t know what to do with myself when my time wasn’t filled with football chats or car rides for ice cream. Jake is 16. In the not-so-distant future, he’ll leave home for his next chapter. I’m terrified thinking about it. It’ll be one of those changes my friend was likely referencing several years ago. As my head spins with anxiety about what Jake’s future and our future will hold, I’m trying to shift my focus to the fact that God keeps getting me through changes and challenges. God has given me every reason to trust him and his care for my family. Has it always looked like I wanted or planned? No. Not even close. But my little family has found immense happiness in even unexpected places, and we know God’s plan is better than ours. Even through all the changes. |
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