Walking in Truth

Music echoed through the small sanctuary. Standing on the platform, I watched as Johnny (worship leader at Familia Christiana) coached each of the girls on their instruments: Deanna on the keyboard, Leilani on the bass guitar and Mikayla on the electric guitar. Esther, Johnny’s wife, filled in the spaces with her sweet voice singing the melody and I joined in with harmony. Anneliese was playing the drums, stumbling a little as she gained confidence. The Praise became palpable and almost tangible. I knew it was the Holy Spirit because “the Lord inhabits the praises of His people.” (Ps. 22:3)

What a thrill!! Worshiping the Lord with my kids making the music! I had always wanted to be part of a band. I just never dreamed that the principals would be my children. Then realization rolled over me in a wave: these musicians were not children any longer. They were young women fast becoming members of the adult population. Talk about a thrill – adults that will worship “in Spirit and in truth.” (Jn. 4:23)

Praise God that we decided to home educate!! Our time with them is so precious, so fleeting, so essential to imparting to them the truth of the gospel. Not just so that they will know and believe, but so that they will be equipped to lead their own children to the cross of Christ. Every day, as they grow older and taller, I am reminded of the ultimate “subject” in their education: knowing and serving the living God.

Some have said that our children will always be our babies. In a way, I’m sure that’s true. However, my dream is for my children to become parents who will be able to bless their children even more than I am able to bless them. My dream is for them to become adults who will lead their own little ones to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and will then teach them to lead their children in the truth. This generational legacy depends upon us nurturing them, leading them, guiding them and eventually letting them go. This dream depends upon our ability to see them and, over time, treat them as adults, too.

It’s been hard at times to allow them adult responsibility like driving a car, getting a job, or going on their own road trip (without me). But each time they take these things on and “conquer” them with integrity, it becomes easier to accept them as the adults that they are becoming.

This gray area between young people and adults is such a wonderful time! We allow them to spread their wings knowing that if they encounter something hard or fail at flying, the nest is always nearby ready to receive and comfort them. Then the nest becomes a launching pad again for the next try. Will they get in a fender bender? Will they encounter a rude boss? Will they get lost? Probably. But for this time, we are there so that their failures become learning experiences as they begin their journey toward adulthood.

As we gathered our instruments to return home, Mik asks “Mom, can we get some ice cream?” My reply is, “No, not tonight. We have dinner at home.” “Awww, Mom! Why not?” she whines. I just smile as I see the child in her that is still shining through those adult-looking eyes. Even as we guide her on her journey, the child still clings. Someday she’ll be ready to conquer the adult world all by herself. Until then, I’ll just keep helping her along, nudging her out of the nest and encouraging her to “walk in truth.”

1Jn 2:28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He is revealed we may have confidence, and not be shamed from Him in His coming.

3Jn 1:4 I have no greater joy than these things, that I hear my children are walking in truth.