Happy Birthday and a Goodbye

November 7, 2017

Yesterday my sweet baby sister turned 40. Wow!

My mom now has 3 children in their 40’s. My older sister is 45. I am 44 and my sister, Jen, is 40.

I am so proud of my little sister. Several years ago, my sister and her husband were both burdened for the people in Spain. After a trip to see if this was where the Lord really wanted them and a yearlong journey to raise funds, they left to live in Spain. It will be three years in April/May that I stood with my sister outside her home church in Virginia crying my eyes out.

I was so proud of her and her family for giving up everything to serve the people of Spain and tell them about the gospel of Jesus Christ. I just found out the other day that they are coming home in June for several months. My older sister is also coming into town with her family. It will be the first time in 7 years that the three Smith sisters will be together. I am emotional just thinking about it. I am so excited.

When she and her husband were going around to different churches telling people of the burden they had for the Spanish people they came to visit my parent’s church. I remember my brother-in-law, Michael, speaking in a Sunday School class. He said that people were asking them why they were giving up a six-figure job, their nice home in the suburbs outside DC, their church and school that they attended. Michael said that he never wanted to have his children hear him, as their father, tell God no. How could he expect his children to answer when God called if he did not set the example for them? That statement has always stuck with me. Whenever I am facing a decision about whether to do something that God has called me to, I remember what he said and follow where the Lord leads me.

They have done amazing work in Spain. They have learned the language and their children have flourished and truly discovered a love for the culture and people of Spain. Their son is coming back home to go to college but plans to return to Spain and work with the Spanish people. They have taught their children that serving the Lord is more important than anything in the world. It shows as I watch their son come into adulthood and desire to serve the Lord and their daughter too.

It reminds me that the work I am doing right now with my children is raising arrows for the cause of Jesus Christ. It makes me want to do more to pour the love of Christ into my children. I want them to be immersed in the word of God and in prayer. I want them to flourish and have vibrant, growing walks with the Lord. I want each of my children to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit every day. That is my desire and prayer for each of them.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

3 John 1:4

Over the past few days I have watched my 17 year old son, William, pack for a trip he is going on for the next five days. Without me. Alone. Well, he is going with a couple from Spiritual Twist. They older daughter goes to EI Bible Institute in South Carolina. That school is having a teen experience this week where teens can go and see what the school is all about. They are going to go to classes and have meals with the students and really see what the school is all about. He is excited and nervous and so I am.

This is really the first time that he is doing anything like this. He went to camp this summer but this is different. This is a place where he could make a decision to go to for the next two years. It just has caused me to reflect on the fact that this time next year I could have my two oldest children out of the house. Alex is going to be 19 in January. He still wants to join the Coast Guard. William turns 18 in March and could be away at college in the fall. Nathan turned 16 this year so he is not far behind.

It is kind of scary to think of it that way. I still feel like I have so much that I want to teach each of them. I want more time but know that the time is growing short. I have just been struck that in just a few months my boys could be putting all the things that I have taught them into practice without me being able to help them or even be a part of their decisions. We have taught them so much. For years they have been in charge of chores and meals and helping us make family decisions. Each one of boys could handle living out on their own. But, it is watching them make decisions that I may not agree with or that may lead them down a path I know will lead to hurt is going to be hard. That transition from parent and “I am the authority,” to friend and advisor is a tough one.

I want to spend the time that I have left with them, no matter how long that is, pouring the love of Christ into them. Teaching them how to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit every day. Scripture and prayer. Serving and devotion. I want to model all of them for them. I am but not enough. I need to love them more by loving God more and getting closer to Him. I want them to see Christ in me and want to walk in that too. My desire is in the next few months, or however long I have left with them under my roof that I make sure that they have no excuse when it comes to how someone lives a strong walk with Jesus Christ and truly follows Him.

So, happy belated birthday to my lovely, God-honoring baby sister in Spain. Keep telling those Spanish people about the gospel of Jesus Christ. I miss you every day and pray for you.

And my sweet, William, now that I am praying for you every morning as you get up to do your devotions at 6:30. I am proud of the young man you have become. I can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for you and where he is going to take you. Keep loving and following after Christ. He will direct you and guide you every step of the way. I miss you already.

My sweet 17 year old son, William

My sister, Jen, and her family