Life is an Adventure

Tammy Grebel
Connections Pastor

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Life is constantly changing, and with every transition in life comes adventure.  Growing up, I never thought of myself as an adventurer, but I have found that I can be pretty adventurous, especially when my adventures include my favorite person to take adventures with, my husband.  When we were newly married, I had no problem moving to Kenya with him.  21 years ago, I was excited to leave Orange County and move to the high desert.    I was more than just willing to go on a mission trip to India.  I eagerly left an area of ministry I had grown comfortable in to a ministry that would provide a challenge and become a growing experience for me.  

Parenting is another adventure we embarked on together almost 23 years ago and I honestly did not know what an adventure that would be!  I can honestly say it has been the best adventure of my life.  It is also the adventure that I have struggled the most in adjusting to the natural transitions.  I loved being a mom to little ones.  I enjoyed being involved in their schools and classrooms through elementary school.  I was honored to be an ear to bend and a safe place for my girls to turn to during their difficult Junior High days.  I watched with anticipation to see where they would go to college and what paths they young lives would take.  My daily prayer that they would keep Jesus first and foremost in their lives.

I was unprepared for the mixed emotions I would feel when they were ready to actually step out on the paths that were laid out before them.  I was excited for their adventures, yet struggled with the knowledge that those adventures would be THEIR adventures.  I had to let them go, let them experience all that lay before them.  The fun.  The difficult.  The exciting.   

My daughter's are adults now.  My husband and I did our best raising them to be independent and strong women.  A mama’s heart takes a little time to catch up to that reality, and I think mine is just now finally catching up.  I am learning to step back and trust that Darin and I parented the best we could, confident that God has them and always will.  I am so excited to see how he will use them.

As I think about all this, I'm reminded that this is the time of year when many parents must deal with transition.  Their little ones getting ready to start Kindergarten.  Others moving on to Junior High or High School.  Some are getting ready to send their “babies” out into the world.   Each is a milestone to be celebrated but still a difficult transition.  Enjoy and cherish all the transitions.  Having made your journey, my advice is to continue to pray for your children and trust that God “has them”!  

Watch as they begin their adventures.  Be their cheerleaders.  Be their safe places.  Be their prayer warriors.  You may find it is the best adventure you ever had.

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