We’ve been at the beach this week. It’s been great to have all five of us together with some interrupted family time. No meetings, schoolwork, teleconferences, trips, scrimmages or practices. I have had a wonderful opportunity to recharge with the family.

Today there was a young couple sitting near us on the beach. They had a little girl that must have been about three years old. Seeing her enjoy the beach and the ocean brought back great memories of our daughter’s first trips to the beach years ago. It’s hard to believe that Carson will be a sophomore in high school this fall. It only seems like yesterday that we were carrying her into the water in our arms, helping her build sandcastles and applying sunscreen in generous amounts to her small arms and legs.

It hit me. According to my calendar, that means that she’ll be with us 148 more weeks before heading off to college. 1,038 days. That’s going to pass by quickly. Where has the time gone? I’ll admit it. I’m worried about it.

Where will she go to school? What career path will she choose? Who will she choose as friends? Where will she settle down? Yeah. I worry about all of that. I guess that in my eyes- Carson is still that three year old on the beach.

I have to remind myself that while Hollianne and I have great responsibilities placed on us as parents, there is someone else- much more powerful than us- concerned with our children.

Therefore I tell you, be not anxious about your life, what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: They neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? Matthew 6: 25-27

Our Lord is already there. He knows our future- and the futures of those we love. We can’t worry about it. While we need to do our jobs as parents, we also need to trust and know that He is there and will provide for us.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

I need to remember that I’m not in control.  While I need to be concerned, I do not have to worry.

For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:18

God bless you.