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This week I said goodbye to my youngest guy, my heart! He shipped out for Army boot camp and AIT in Fort Benning, Georgia. Then, he’s on to Airborne Infantry training...
But
this full heart of mine has to take this, HIS dream, one step at a time!
He has wanted to join and serve his country since he was
12 years old, maybe even younger. He has
talked about it and dreamed about it for the last several years as his father
and I selfishly tried everything to steer him in any other direction. After a
year of college and a thankfully short but crazy detour, he is now pursuing that
dream of his! And as much as this mother fought this
joining, she also feels a great amount of pride in the fact that he is so determined
and dedicated to doing this thing.
Knowing full well, he will achieve and succeed admirably, this almost
life long goal of his.
After 21 almost 22 years of our lives holding onto him
with every hard headed, good intentioned mother bone in my body; I’m having to
hand this “as hard” headed, bold hearted, soulful young man to someone else. That someone else is not the strong but sensible
and compassionate drill sergeant I’ve been praying to receive him upon his
arrival on base...But the one true King, his Heavenly Father, who blessed him
into our lives in the first place. The only
other one I could possibly trust to lead, guide and protect him on this journey!
So there I said it, I’m handing him over to God!! You read it here, my vow to hand him over to
the One who is always standing with open arms to receive any and everything I
am willing to let go. I am
vowing to do this daily, because I know each night when I lay down to sleep, I
will grab with everything I’ve got in this mother’s overprotective heart & mind to take
it back in worry and fret….
Cast
your burden on the Lord, and he
will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22
I heard a phrase the other day and it immediately
made me think of him.
True North is your orienting point - your fixed point in a spinning
world – that helps you stay on track as a leader. It is derived from
your most deeply held beliefs, values, and the principles you're lead by.
It is your internal compass, unique to you, representing who you
are at your deepest level.
He is certainly true north to me, he is a reminder of everything that is good in the world! Not always perfect by any stretch like all of us, but constantly striving to do what is right and living for others and his God.
At his deepest level he longs to do
something worthwhile, to serve in a way that will make a difference. He kept saying he wanted to join the army for many reasons, but also to make his family proud. And we would respond, "We already are proud, but you must remember, the world
is different now as is the reason for combat."
His response was always the same,
“Regardless, I’m going to hopefully help others return!”
So
if I may be so bold as to ask you to pray for Garrison Lee Shaw, our youngest
and truly brave guy. The smallest
thought or prayer from you, my friends will mean the world and those combined will add up to shouts
to the One Most High!
I Am a Son of a King Who is Not Moved by This World.
For My God is with Me and Goes Before Me.
I do not Fear Because I am His.
Over anxiously waiting for his one phone call to tell us he is good and give us his address so we can write to him over the next 14 weeks...
UPDATE~Got an unexpected call Thursday evening, he is good, no address yet so we should get to hear his voice again in the next week or so. I rested for a moment :)
In God's gracious care, this rambling proud of my son Mom, B
2018 focus scripture...
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.
Lamentations 2:19
"Rise during the night and cry out. Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord.
Lift up your hands to him in prayer, pleading for your children."
