30 Days of Thankfulness, He’s Leaving too, Day #29

I watch him as he drives.
He leaves in 5 days.
He is heading where his brother was supposed to go.
I breathe in deeply.
I can’t stop the tears from coming;
even if I tried.
Sometimes I’m so tired of trying not to cry.
It takes so much energy to breathe slowly, open my eyes wide and keep the tears from flowing.

You see our second born son enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.
He leaves for Parris Island on Sunday morning.

I struggle to make sense of this.
One son is gone.
He resides in heaven.
His recruiting officer said, “He had a higher calling. ”
Even now I feel the pit in my stomach, the deep ache and longing for my son.

Now this son wants to finish the work his brother started. 

A brothers love.

Separated.

Now the sacrifice for country.

It really is a beautiful thing.

Beyond words.

I lean into the promises of the Ancient Word.
I am weary of this earth.
I am weary of the constant barrage of things gone wrong.

Yet. Somehow in the midst of all this weariness.
I have a deep sense of peace.
A sense that God is working His plan.
I am surrendered to His will.
I am resting in the promises made.

Long ago I gave my children to the Lord.
I trusted that His will was perfect.
I still trust that.
I don’t have to like it.
I just need to trust.

When that blue eyed, blonde haired boy was born we stood before the Congregation of our church.

We pledged before God and man that we would raise him in fear of the Lord.
We dedicated that little bundle right into the folds of our loving God.

So my dear farm boy.
As you embark on this new journey.
Know that you are a child of God first.
You are our beloved son.
We will not stop, not for one minute, praying for you and looking forward to all God will do.

My cry for my children is that they grow to be the Masterpiece God has created them to be.

I sang this song to him at his dedication.
My heart sings it to him now. . .

Sandy Patti
You Are A Masterpiece

And now you’re growing up
Your life’s a miracle.
Every time I look at you,
I stand in awe.
Because I see in you
a reflection of me
and you’ll always be my little lamb from God.
And as your life goes on each day
how I pray that you will see
just how much your life has meant to me.
And I’m so proud of you
what else is there to say
just be the masterpiece He created you to be.