Sunday, I preached on parenting, and it made me think of how often we take for granted the time we have with our kids while they are still at home. With only one year left of school for my youngest, Sonya and I are looking at the proverbial empty nest, sooner than later. Where has the time gone? I penned the following words during my sermon prep time, but I didn’t share it during the message.

LOST TRACK OF TIME

Where has the time gone?
How did it slip away so fast?
Although it has been three decades
We thought it would forever last.

They entered the world with the blast of a cry.
Then the joyful laughter of a playful child
The hugs and kisses of an afternoon snuggle,
To the outdoor play of a kid gone wild.

But slowly they grew past the age of wonder.
Discovering the world and all its pain
Finding that life is too often harsh.
And hurts come again and again.

But with time maturity always comes
And they learn how to cope.
They build a life for themselves.
And this one thing we’ve come to know.

That though time went fast.
God had them in His hand
The world tried to take them.
But Jesus became their friend.

They made mistakes and stumbled along the way.
We, too, have many regrets and blunders that we made.
Yet, in the end, we are proud of what they have become.
And as we look at them, we can truly say.

We did our best with the little we knew.
And with God’s gracious help, we made it through.
What a privilege it is to raise them up!
For God gave them to us so we could love.

And love we have, that only a parent can know.
One that is witnessed by God Almighty
A Father of all Fathers
One who loves so immensely.

So, thank you, Lord, for what you have given.
We will certainly never take it for granted.

-Danny Cheney-