Monday, June 01, 2009

The "S" Word

I was just having an "Instant Message" conversation with my nephew, Trent. I have always been close to him. He's getting ready to graduate from Bellmont on Sunday. Wish we could be there, but it's a bit far from the U.K. 

Anyway, his mom, Jill, and I are very close. In fact, she is my first cousin, my sister in Christ, and my sister-in-law. Oh, and she is one of my very best friends. You can't get much closer than that with all of those bonds! She has 6 children whom I love dearly. But Trent is her firstborn, was our ring bearer, and somehow God gave us a special bond. 

So here I was today checking out my Facebook and I saw him on there. I clicked on it as a prompting of the Holy Spirit I am convinced. I started out with, "Are you all graduated" kind of thing and the conversation went on from there. It was the first time he and I chatted through that medium and I am overjoyed that we did. He and I have had some frank conversations in the past about future career choices, girlfriends, sports, life, etc. At one point in time he thought he wanted to be a chiropractor like me, but has recently felt lead to do something else. And that's okay. 

I asked him if his mom was going crazy preparing for his open house and his reply was, "She is officially crazy". I asked him to bless her by helping her. I boldly asked if he was staying pure. Yes, I did. If someone doesn't ask, and help to keep him accountable besides his mom, who will? That's the kind of relationship we have and I am ever grateful for it. As we typed our responses back and forth, I also added that I would be proud of whatever he did, as long as it didn't involve "drugs, drinking, or smoking". And then I quickly added, or "the *s* word" code for the three letter word that I didn't want my children to walk in on and read on my blog post. He then replied that he is not perfect and does some stupid *s* things. I was at a loss, disappointed for him. And so I had to ask. Do you mean you are having *s*? I sat there waiting for his slowly-typed response anticipating that it might have been a misunderstanding. Hoping that it would be.

He said, "No, Aunt Carol, I'm waiting for marriage". 

Could I have any more joy on this day? The Holy Spirit, who brings glory to Jesus, led me on this day to have that conversation with my dear nephew. And I am thrilled by his commitment to God, his future wife, his mom and dad, and to himself. He is going to knock someone's socks off one day and the blessings he will receive are more than he can ask or imagine.

Thank you, Lord, for guiding us and teaching us. Thank you for this generation that needs more kids who are wanting to follow Your commandments. Kids that want to please You. Kids who will boldly follow You.

It's something to think about, isn't it? I wish that when I was growing up I had that kind of guidance. I believe it is why I have such a heart for purity. And all the honor and glory goes to my savior, Jesus Christ.  

11 comments:

McCrakensx4 said...

What a great relationship you have with your nephew. I can only hope and pray that my boys have the same thinking and save it for their wife. Good Job Auntie!

Five Moms & A Blog said...

Oh what an awesome praise!!! I pray that my kids can/will be STRONG and PURE! Their mama waited til marriage, so I'm praying that they will.

~Erica

Heart2Heart said...

Just wanted to wish you a very Happy Monday and give you a big surprise at my blog today, so stop on by!

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Pam said...

this makes me cry... i pray that my kids have someone else in their life besides me and grandpa telling them things like this... i also pray that they have the same answer that your nephew does... it is so hard and scary...

wishing you could IM yourself here for the graduations too!! I was watching your other nephew play ball the other night, and thought about twittering you to tell you that I was!! miss you!

Andrea said...

Praising GOD with you for the relationship you have with your nephew.
Blessings and prayers, andrea

He & Me + 3 said...

I have to admit...I was waiting anxiously for his response too. Holding my breath that he was waiting too. It takes alot of courage to stand up for what is right now adays. I pray that my kids wait...because that is sure what they are being taught.
That is awesome and you are a great aunt.

Kat said...

Carol,

This is a beautiful tribute. It is funny...my nephew, Brandon, is graduating this Friday and I've been thinking alot about these things in relation to his life. I am so proud of him and how he has managed to stay out of trouble, despite difficult circumstances.

Yet, I know he is not walking with the Lord and is not always making the best choices.

He is 3 months older than my oldest daughter. Because of a rocky relationship between his parents he and my daughter were practically raised together for the first two years.

When the kids were older he spent every other weekend, holidays and summers at my house. We went to all his sporting events to cheer him on. I helped him learn his Bible and work on his writing skills. He taught me how to run the lawnmower.

So you could say we were very close.

Sadly, also because of the rocky relationship between his parents, we have seen him just a handful of times in the last four years. I so wish we still had the close relationship that you two share.

Thanks again for a fine post and encouragement that they are still young adults working and living for the Lord.

petrii said...

Carol,
He sounds like a sweetheart of a nephew. I am glad that you asked him such a question and help to keep him accountable.

Have a Blessed evening,
Dawn

MiMi said...

What an awesome relationship it sounds like you have with your nephew! How awesome to hear of his commitment to God!

I wanted to drop by and tell you thank you for your comment on my blog about the Salmon Patties. I am so glad that you were able to find the canned salmon and that your family enjoyed the recipe. I hope if you give the corn on the cob a try that you will love it as much as our family does!

Hope you're having a good week!

momstheword said...

First, awesome post. I just recently reconnected with one of my nephews on facebook too. Isn't that funny!

I asked him lots of questions too. He just recently came to know the Lord so that was awesome to hear!

Second, am I following you (I can't see the followers gadget on my blog or any blog)? Because I thought i was, but your feed doesn't show up on my dashboard. So I thot you haven't been posting.

Now i see you have been posting so I don't know what's going on.

Would you do me a favor and check to see if I'm one of your followers? Of course, I guess I could check when I get back on my blog.....

B said...

I love it when I see families with four or more children...it gives me hope that someday it will get easier to do things like mini golf etc.

What a great moment.