The Eldest

I am tired but unable to fall asleep. Today was a busy day - church, niece's birthday, Peter Rabbit movie, dinner, grocery shopping. I was ready to sleep after my shower, but then discovered that I have a fever. After rolling around for an hour or so, I woke up and took some paracetamol. I feel better now but am wide awake.

To be fair, my mind has been over-stimulated lately. It feels like so much has happened in the last couple of weeks. and my thoughts are still catching up. My eldest received his A Levels results about two weeks back. To me it felt like a very long trek up a mountain and finally reaching the summit - exhausted, happy and enjoying the view. I have often reminded him that if he put his heart into something, he often surprises himself with the results. I hope he remembers that in the years ahead.

A week later he went for some of the university open days and got down to making his university applications soon after. We discussed the possible courses and career options. What he eventually settled on surprised me - a good choice but completely off the radar. It feels like he's changed so much in the last couple of months and particularly in the last two weeks. I have often told him that I don't expect him to pick a specific career for his parents' sake, but I do expect him to give his best in his studies so that options are available to him. A few days back, he received the offer for the course that he chose. I am really happy and proud of him for the effort he has put in.

He is currently working as a media crew at a convention centre several days in a week. It is relatively long hours so we don't see him that much. And soon he will be enlisted. To be honest, the time the kids spend outside the home increases exponentially once they start secondary school. It's like a roller-coaster ride - it starts off slowly but when it has reached the top, everything happens in lightning speed. I miss that little boy who was our only child for many years, but we've got to learn to release him to God's care and protection. 

I am ever so thankful to God for keeping a constant watch over my son's life. God loves him far more than I can ever do. I pray that the experiences over the last couple of years will help him to stand firm in his faith in future challenges. I pray that he will place his life decisions before God and be obedient to His calling for his life.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore. ~ Psalm 121 (NIV)