Confession time. I'm not a real sentimental guy, but the ground just shook under my feet. Let me start from the beginning. Earlier today I made a 5 hour round trip to drop off some youth to camp (including my 15yr.old son). That was apparently enough time for my wife to paint my other son's (20)room. When I got home she was putting the finishing touches on the paint job. I got to help put the room back together and hang up some pictures. It was during the putting-back-together phase that internally I began to fall apart. As I listened to cool music from Hillsong United on my son's cool computer I realized I missed him (He's somewhere deep in the Amazon River valley on mission for a few more days). As I was in his room hanging his pictures, listening to his music on his stuff...I could see his image. I wanted to hug him and tell him that I loved him. He's a good kid, I mean young man. Then for a second I empathized with those that have lost a child. Whoa, I never had the feeling before. I don't want to have that feeling. So I hung his pictures up, vacuumed his room, relocated his bed...all with a rekindled joy. I miss my son. Hopefully, God is letting him have some incredible experiences that will transform him to look more like the Father. It will be me and the girls for a few more days. We'll enjoy that time. It goes so fast. ---As I write this I enjoyed the Pizza combos my other son left (forgot) before he went to youth camp. They hit the spot.
Those of us who are empty nesters can identify. I found myself weeping over my married daughters the other night knowing they'd never be at home again!!