(Me, Rachel, and Rebekah; December 1987)

Said one whose yoke
Was that of common folk,
Would that I were like Saint Cecilia,
And could invent some goldly instrument
Passing all yet contrived to worship Thee,
And send a love-song singing over land and sea.

But when I seem,
Almost to touch my dream,
I hear a call, persistent though so small,
The which if I ignore, clamours about my door
And bids me run to meet some human need.
Meanwhile my dream drifts off like down of thistle seed.

A sound of gentle stillness stirred and said,
My child, be comforted,
Dear is the offering of melody
But dearer far, love’s lowliest ministry. (Amy Carmichael)

(Amanda, age 6)

Lord, I find the geneology of my Savior strangely checkered with four remarkable changes in four immediate generations. (1) Rehoboam begat Abijah; that is, a bad father begat a bad son. (2) Abijah begat Asa; that is, a bad father begat a good son. (3) Asa begat Jehoshaphat; that is, a good father a good son. (4) Jehoshaphat begat Joram; that is, a good father a bad son.  I see, Lord, from hence that my father’s piety cannot be entailed; that is bad news for me. But I see also that actual impiety is not also hereditary; that is good news for my son.  (Thomas Fuller)

Relinquishment is always a part of the process of maturing.  When Christian parents have done all that can be done to shape their chidlren for God, the time comes when the hands must let go.  The child, now a responsible adult, must be released.  For any parent this is painful, even when the child is moving in the direction the parents prayed for.  The child’s continued development, and the spiritual health of the parents as well, depend on the willingness to accpet this next stage of the cycle–hands off, ready to part without a struggle, giving up authority and control, entrusting that child to God. (Elisabeth Elliot)