Olivia and her roomate, Hosanna
I grabbed six bowls to set the table for soup this past Thursday night. I only needed five. In a million little ways each day I’m reminded that my first-born has flown the coop.
Two Sundays ago I leaned over to Kurt during the service and whispered, “Honey, this is our last worship service together as an entire family.” Then I asked him, “Do you remember that 18 years ago on Mother’s Day we took Olivia, a tiny newborn, to her very first church service?” In typical father fashion he whispered back, “No, I didn’t remember that.” At least he’s an honest man!
Wednesday we deposited Liv at the Moody Bible Institute in the middle of downtown Chicago. Yes, it helps that Kurt and I are both graduates and that Moody ranks near the very top of my list of the best seasons of my life so far. Still, nothing fully prepares you to let go so completely.
We pray that Liv will make great friends. That she will be appreciated by others for the wonderful person we all know her to be. We ask the Father to help others treat her fairly, with love and respect. In general we pray that she’ll have a wonderfully, amazing experience during her years in college, learning and growing in so many ways. And, of course, as parents, we pray for safety.
This new journey got us thinking about the Heavenly Father depositing His one and only inside an unmarried, teenage, human mother on planet earth. He did this knowing that Jesus would be misunderstood, mistreated, rejected and ultimately killed. How could He? How could Father God cooperate with such a plan?
Isaiah 53:10 reveals the thoughts and intentions of His heart: “But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering . . .”
John 3:16 further explains, “For God so loved the world (you and I), that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but will have eternal life.”
Wow! Did you catch that. Your Heavenly Father wasn’t just OK with sending Jesus into the middle of this sinful mess. He was pleased to do so, for you and for me.
Back in my college days a popular Christian hit captured my heart:
We are the reason that He gave His life.
We were the reason that He suffered and died.
To a world that was lost He gave all He could give.
To show us the reason to live. (David Meece)
Thank you, Father for sending your Son. And, thank You, Jesus, for your willingness to be my Savior. Now I offer to you again my life, my marriage, my children and especially during this time in our lives, my oldest – Olivia. We are Yours. We love You because You first loved us.
Kristen…
I have to admit my sensitive heart caused some tears to pour out as I read this post. It’s hard to believe the oldest ‘little Sauder kid’ has gone off to college. What a privilege it was for Jeff and me to be chosen by God to step in and help you and Kurt through the painful time of losing Graham. And, what a joy it was for us to continue for a few years to serve your family as ‘Kentucky grandparents’. We still get warm hugs whenever we see all of you. We will always cherish the memories of fun sleep-overs and picnics in the tree house…Drew, Ivy, and Ellie sleeping sideways in the double bed, and Olivia getting a room to herself because she was the oldest. The fun we had the night we brought pizza and ‘babysat’ while you all went on a date. Thank you, God, and thank you Kristen and Kurt for the trust you put in us. We will keep your family in our prayers, especially your precious Olivia, as she travels the path God has chosen for her. We love you and are grateful for God’s promise that we will spend Eternity together…’when we all get to Heaven’!! Pat
Mom, I can’t believe I just now read this. OK- this time tears not only filled my eyes, they actually came out! I miss you all like crazy but I am so grateful that you can think of how God sent His son…it kind of puts things into perspective. I am more than thankful for my family and I can’t wait to see you in about two months. Then you can put six bowl on the table! 🙂
Mrs. Pat,
Thank you for your prayers. I truly appreciate it. I have great memories of staying at your house. Thanks for everything.
Love you both, Liv