When You Grow Up

originally posted 1.27.10
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I've encountered a staggering amount of cynicism, hopelessness, and pain this week. Not in our lives, but in the lives of others that seem to be colliding all around me. And children, your mother is reflecting today. Just sitting in it. And trying to breathe, and weave some sense.

You are always talking about what you'll be and do when you grow up.

So many parents say, "I don't care what you do, as long as you're happy."

And they aren't telling the truth. But we can talk about that another day.

You know what I always tell you- that no matter what you do today, tomorrow, or in 30 years- I want you to, in every moment, be in the place of mission, purpose and heart that God wants for you. And if you're living every moment with Him, you won't just "be" one thing "someday". You'll be His- now and always- and life will never, ever be a series of simple labels for identity. Life with Him is a constant adventure, with peaks and valleys, shades of gray and peace in the rain and shine.

That's what I mean- but all I say is, "No matter what you do, no matter where you live, no matter how much I want you close, no matter what it means for you- Be right there with Jesus." And you usually complete my sentence for me. Believe me, I need to hear myself say it, just as much I want you to know it. I still need to know it better for myself.

And while I'm at it, here's more of what I want for you.

I want you to be present and open, not disconnected and "safe". Be awake. Be present. Listen first, and speak without fear.

I want you to create. In a thousand ways. With words, art, science, your text messages, the way you do dishes, how you buy your groceries, the ways you relate to others, how you see the world- and what you do about it. Be creative. Do a new thing.

I want you to stand firm in convictions- but stay flexible and willing to be formed.

I want you to live free, and out of the boxes the world places you in, and live real, not covered in facades and striving for the fulfillment of empty expectations.

Don't be afraid to say No. Don't be afraid to say Yes.

I want you full of love, compassion and peace, to bring healing and fresh life, to live rightly, compelled by the Living God- not full of rules, checklists, and man-conceived laws of "good" and "bad". Live closely pressed to the chest of God, discerning, listening, thinking, with patience to wait for answers- not hungry for new laws of what is OK, and what's off limits. Know the peace of absolute truth- and the freedom that lives within it.

I want you to live in the midst of reality- to live a life close to God, not afraid to push into the real, messy, complicated world- not satisfied to stay neatly cornered off from the rest.

I want you to be a gift to the ones you meet. A real, honest-to-goodness Godsend.

And I want you to be happy.

Happy in God.