Thank You

A couple of weeks ago my son was calling me from school everyday.  Most issues were easy like "Will you purchase the prom tickets" or "Will you pick up my yearbook." Some days however it was issues like "Will you bring me lunch, pick up my cleaning, or pay for my trip." 

While this is my son and I love him dearly, most of these requests interfered with my daily routine.  In some cases, I was visiting my father in law and had to leave him to complete the request.  When you "pick up lunch" you can not get it early and let it sit while you do other things because it will get cold.  So I would have to time it so that he didn't get a cold lunch. 

Yeah, you might say I do to much but as a mom but you might do it too if you were not working.  At any rate, as I drove to the school, I thought "I'm going to make a list of everything I have done for him just this week." 

Well you know what happened next!  I thought again "What if God made a list of everything He does for you....and how often do you thank him for specific things He does in your life?"  I hung my head  and asked for forgiveness.  You see, life is so fast paced that it is difficult to stop, take the time and say thank you to those who provide. 

My son does a pretty good job of doing that even adding a much needed hug but how good do I do when it comes to my relationship with God?  Do I pray with thanksgiving or merely go to him with what I need or want?

My son is a senior in High School and will graduate in two days.  I have not had much time to dwell on that however, in the last 24 hours I have heard the buzz and seen the mixed feelings of leaving friends, teachers, and a communtiy.

Soon, my son will be gone.  He will take residence in a dorm at a university.  I feel fairly sure that I will walk into his bedroom just to feel his presence, to see his smile, to smell his fragrance.  I will go to my room and long to hear from his bedroom that familiar "I love you mom." I will long to hear the voice that changed octaves to accomodate the young man he has become. 

While it brings sadness, it also brings comfort.  Comfort in knowing that he knows Christ as his Savior, comfort in knowing that despite what comes his way, he has one that loves him even more than me.  To use my familiar line...I love my boy!

I have seen the faces and the tears of many moms "losing" their sons to graudation.  Some are losing them two at a time.  What a milestone for our little boys turning into men.

God has a Son....His only Son.  I am thankful that God sent his only son to die on the cross so that I, my son and all the rest of us could have eternal life.  I know it must have been difficult for God to do that for us.  He loved His son....his only son.

As that thought enters my mind, have to say this: I could make a list of things I am thankful when it comes to my son.  I could also question God about the way so many things turned out.  Instead, I will say "Thank you Father, for the son you allowed me to raise and love and lead in your path."

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests God.  And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.   Philippians 4:6-7

Matthew David Eller
Kingwood Park High School
Senior 2013

I love you with all my heart!