2/3 of my olive shoots live elsewhere. At 22, my oldest has graduated from West Point and is doing officer training at Fort Benning
Being the mama of a Soldier means I grasp pride – tightly
Nate in a tank. He isn’t deployed yet but he’s still in a tank.
And when he sends me pictures of him in a tank, that word grasp (and gasp) take on a whole new meaning
Jesus, hear my cries for his safety and for all those who serve
The other is 18 and a freshman at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago
He desires to be a bi-vocational pastor
This means that I grasp fear because I see how congregants can be so cruel to a pastor, how we in the pews can quickly judge, how those in leadership can go astray, become arrogant or lazy
And when he boards the train
and heads out to Kedzie each Friday
from about 3-7pm
to work with inner city boys,
he journeys to a part of Chicago where guys of his meager melanin level usually go only to score drugs and get high
That’s when that whole grasp thing is magnified for me as a mom too. Father, extend your protective hand to my/our precious child.
Taking the train in Chicago
Use Nate and Aaron today in their respective lands to do good for your kingdom.
Take their hands through the challenges they will face and the people they will encounter.
Even though they are young men, I know they will allow you and only you to grasp their hands just like I did when they were younger.
And while you’re at it, hold my hand too after all, because I’m their mom.
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My Awesome Olive Shoots 
Ooh, I love it. I am so glad you shared about Aaron. The inner city kids of Chicago have been on my heart lately (random, I know!), but in light of all the reading I was doing on the teacher strikes up there God reminded me that even in this country there are people who live in conditions not unlike those of third-world countries. And I am so excited to know that Aaron is taking a little light into those dark places. (And I am always praying for your boys!)
Thanks Jenn! It was a bad FMF entry but when you’re given only five minutes, well, what can you do? Just wait till I share with you what he’s been doing. It is incredible and he needs your prayers. I have long had a burden in my heart for inner city kids and the things that Aaron has told us have only increased my supplications to the Lord. Thank you for your care and support of my crew!
Cindy, I did FMF! I haven’t written in so long, and I miss it. So I’m gonna make a Sept 28th resolution to (try…) get back to doing it. At least once in awhile.
Thank you for the encouragement…even though I imagine it was unintentional. 🙂 You are the best!
FMF is such a great way to ease back into writing. It’s just the right amount of pressure! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post and I think blogging would be very cathartic for you. You have hit all of the main life seasons all at once, that is a lot. His grace is sufficient and He will carry you through. I love you!
Thank you for sharing! Love hearing about your man-boys! I know the Lord’s grip is firm and they are in good hands-His! both guys right where the Lord wants them, for His kingdom. We mommas definitely need our hands held, too!
Yes the tight, loving grip of our Father can make us feel safe. I am excited to share more about Aaron’s journeys and appreciate prayers for him each Friday as he serves the Lord in this way. I am certain God is working on Aaron’s heart and life perspective as well through those young men. Father, be glorified. Thanks Gigi for your encouragement and friendship!
Love it! Seeing the picture of your son in the tank made me flash back 20 years ago. We were newly married, and my husband was going through officer basic at Fort Benning. Those were such idealistic days for the two of us as newlyweds, and now, I too am grasping onto every possible second with my son. I know that in a few short years, he’ll be following in Daddy’s footsteps, and I’m older and wiser than I was back then.
Wow, so you can totally understand that picture! You were a wife but still you get it. I have so much to learn and treasure hearing from women who can appreciate the Army mom perspective. You have a rich heritage in your own family and that makes me proud to call you my friend, WP mama, writer buddy and Army mom. God truly has you on a fascinating life journey.
Cindy, thank you for your candidness. Our two boys are younger, but the day when each one leaves to find his own way in the world, will be the moment when my wife and I will truly feel that they’re in God’s hands. May your young men continue to fervently seek Him.
Thank you Matt! Our boys felt called to go to school far away and so my spider-like grasp cannot extend that far unfortunately! They are where the Lord wants them to be and I still have one at home but yes, feeling God’s hands around us near and far that is a blessing. Thank you for praying for my olive shoots especially Aaron each Friday as he and his group do kingdom work.
May God greatly bless, and protect Aaron.
Thank you shortybear. This means so much to me! I have received messages from several people today saying they would pray for Aaron, God bless you for caring. ❤