What It Means to Start Again in this Man-Making Business
“You’re starting again?”
I get the same response every time I explain the ages of my six kids: 24, 21, 19, . . . 6, 4, and 3.
“You could be empty nesters, traveling the world, and driving a convertible.”
“Yes,” I nod. “Yes, I could.”
There is nothing wrong with empty nests. Some day I might have one. There is nothing wrong with convertibles. Some day I might rent one! But even more wonderful than peace, and quiet, and time is knowing that our lives have completely impacted the lives of three children. James 1:27 urges us to care for the widows and the orphans. I think God meant it when he said that.
I do a lot with my time. I mentor teenage moms. I serve my church family. I have a radio program. I write blogs. I write books. But I’m most proud of the children I’ve raised to adulthood—children who love God, who give to others, and who are making their own impact on the world. They were my hardest task but are now my greatest joy.
Recently I was reading a devotional book from 1938 titled Leaves of Gold, and I came across this poem:
“Man-Making”
We all are blind until we see
That in the human plan
Nothing is worth the making if
It does not make the man.
Why build these cities glorious
If man unbuilded goes?
In vain we build the world, unless
The builder also grows.
–Edwin Markham
My greatest calling in life is working with God and with my husband to “make” these people. To grow them, and serve them, and pour God into their lives just as cement and steel are poured to make a building’s foundation.
Read the rest of this post on For the Family!
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Tricia,
Thank you for the encouragement! I can so relate to this post! My children are ages 23, 20, 6 and 4, we call the last two our “bonus babies”, I didn’t plan them but God has a purpose for them! So often people will say to me, “oh you poor thing” or “Oh my goodness you were almost done, and now this”. Honestly I can’t imagine my life without these two little guys. Because of them the Lord has given me a new found passion and vision for parenting. In my spare time I also mentor and teach parenting classes to Teen Moms and moms who come through our local crisis pregnancy center. I know for a fact I would not be serving in that capacity had I not have become pregnant with my last two. I now see that it takes courage, passion and wisdom to be obedient to the call and season in which the Lord may have us in. And for now like you I’m starting over and loving it!
Thank you so much for your heart and transparency!
Aimee Nelson 🙂
Aimee, You seem like my kindred spirit! I love how God works! Yes, I’m so thankful for my little ones, too!! God is good! And THANK YOU for all you do to support teen moms. My book for teen moms will be out next year!! Teen Mom: You’re Stronger Than You Think
Tricia, Please keep me posted on the book, I am always looking for (and in need of) resources to equip the moms and encourage them as they become intentional in their parenting
Blessings!!
It’ll be out March 2015!
Thank you for the post, Tricia. We have 5 children ages 21 (married), 17, 7, 5, and 18 months. Our 3 younger children are adopted. We also now have a grandbaby! When people express the idea that they think I might be crazy; I’m “missing” out on so much that I could be doing… I remind myself that there is nothing more important than being where God has called me to be… pouring out my life for these children He has given me!