SWEET CELEBRATIONS!

Well the day that seemed a distant - very distant day, has finally come and gone.

The last of our offspring has finished high school.

What a great day, not only because she successfully graduated, not only because she was beautiful on the night, not only because it all went so well for her.

But because it feels like we are enjoying sweet fruit for our labour.

Yes having children is a joy. There is nothing more fulfilling than producing and raising other human beings. But there is nothing more draining, more challenging, more scary, more frustrating, more heart wrenching than being responsible for this precious cargo!

I remember feeling so helpless & saying many times,

"I can't resign and no one will sack me!"

They challenge your relationship, they challenge your resources, they challenge your patience, they challenge your strength, they challenge your capacity, they challenge your ingenuity. There is nothing left of you that is not challenged.

BUT IT IS SO WORTH IT!! Would we do it all again........WITHOUT A DOUBT!!

Now we enjoy these young adults, they are all so different. We feel so rich.

How can that be??

Jesus said, "I am telling you the truth: a grain of wheat remains no more than a single grain unless it is dropped into the ground and dies. if it does die, then it produces many grains." John 12:24(GNB)

"Those who try to gain their own life will lose it; but those who lose their life for my sake will gain it" Matt 10:39 (GNB)

Paul said, "So let us not become tired of doing good; for if we do not give up, the time will come when we will reap the harvest." Galatians 6:9 (GNB)

Well there's the answer!!

So to everyone who is peering down the passage of time, wondering how you can 'hang on', and wondering if you are doing OK..... I want to say, yes you can hang on, and yes you are doing OK.

Of all the parents in the world (and He could have picked anyone ....YOU ARE THE ONE THE LORD HAS PICKED FOR YOUR CHILDREN.

So don't give up... it will be worth it!