The Final Stretch....

One month from today my son Chase will be turning in all of his text books he had checked out as a Senior. On June 4th he will be walking up the stairs to the platform to the sound of his name: "Chase Andrew Merrell" being called as his diploma is placed in his hands and we his family will all be cheering and clapping for him up in the stands! Tears will probably be rolling down my cheeks! What a milestone for him and for us as his parents! What an answer to prayer as God has covered him all through out his elementary, middle school and high school years. We are so grateful and thankful. Through out his school years he has had exciting moments; disappointing moments; amazing moments; learning moments; ahah moments; embarrasing moments etc. I would not trade any of those moments for him. This has all been a part of the preparation for his next season of life. He has had crazy teachers; inspiring teachers; unorganized teachers; old teachers; atheist teachers; christian teachers; caring teachers and not so caring teachers. The lives he has had the opportunity of being a part of is priceless and I believe many have come to know the Lord as a result of knowing Chase. I encourage all of you mom's out there. Pray over them as each school year begins. Pray that God will seat them next to the students they are supposed to reach for Jesus. Pray that they will notice the kid who sits alone everyday during lunch time. Pray that they will see their teachers as Jesus sees them. Pray that your child will be a light in a classroom filled with darkness. More than anything "be there" when your child talks about those things that are bothering him/her. "Be there" when they are participating in an event whether it be a play or sporting event or they have been nominated for Class Prince etc. "Be there" when they get in the car with tears streaming down their face because they are so frustrated with themselves for not passing a certain exam or test in a subject they have worked so hard in. Surprise them every now and then and take them a Jamba Juice during lunch time or their favorite hamburger/fries during lunch and maybe bring extra for some of their friends. Allow them a mental brake day now and then. Allow them to go fishing with their Dad or let them have a marathon Star Wars Day where they just chill with their siblings and watch episode 1, 2 & 3 and have popcorn and a shake for lunch! (as long as they are passing all of their classes of course) Before you know it they will have to act and behave like a grown up. Make your home an inviting place where your child's friends like to hang out. Sometimes your family will be the only example of a "family" they have ever seen or been around. Keep easy snacks in the pantry, plenty of milk in the fridge and a variety of cereals to choose from. What kids doesn't like cereal? Laugh with your kids, go to the movie's with your kids....I could go on and on. As I write this to all of you I am writing to myself too. As I have a 16 year old who has two years to go in high school! Hope you love being a mom as much as I do......It's a gift from God!