When I took my son to kinder, I remember carefully organizing his backpack and lunchbox, wanting everything to be perfect so that he wouldn’t struggle as he adjusted to school life without me. I remember thinking, “What if he can’t open his yogurt?” “Just that idea made me panic. But he’s gone. With his new shoes, his backpack and a smile he waved us with a hand as we said goodbye, and we left with hope and prayer that he would have a good experience. And you know what? He made it through. She always managed to open her yogurt. Throughout the school he faced difficult times. He lived through disappointments and conflicts. But in all those years, from kindergarten to graduation, he grew, learned, enjoyed, and became an amazing 18 year old young man.
Last night I found myself in the same situation as the night before kinder. Only now instead of a new lunch box and backpack, she has suitcases. He wanted everything to be perfectly organized so that when he arrived, it would be easier for him. Instead of worrying about whether he wouldn’t be able to open his yogurt, now I’m worried about him losing his passport, getting sick in a foreign country or being treated harshly.
And today, at 4:00 in the morning, we bid him farewell with his new shoes and his shiny luggage, hoping and praying that he will be okay. I know the Lord is with him, and I know he will surely face trials and difficulties. But I can’t wait to see the man we get back in two years. Every challenge you experience will shape you into a stronger and more resilient man. You can’t be brave if you never face what you’re afraid of. You can’t develop resilience if you never experience adversity. He will win it all while sharing the light of Jesus Christ and serving the people in Cape Town, South Africa. What a beautiful experience he is going to live!. 🇿🇦 Take care, South Africa!
Credit – Morgan Crabtree