Two At The Dinner Table; One Era Ends, A New Era Begins

Time is a gift so precious that it is only given to us moment by moment.

"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12

It hit me like a ton of bricks. It came sliding into my life like a wrecking ball. Like a curve ball from Nolan Ryan.

I was stupefied. Stunned. Bewildered and flabbergasted.

All because of a simple question asked at a restaurant.

A young, innocent waitress asked me while we were waiting to be seated, "Just two tonight?"

It may not seem like such a horrible question. But there's a lot of history behind it.

Twenty something years ago my wife and I decided that we wanted to have kids. We were young and scared and weren't sure how we could afford them but we felt strongly that the love we shared with each other is something we wanted to pass on.

And our first boy was born.

Soon that fear turned to joy and our love increased beyond our wildest imaginations. When he came into our lives it was our prayer that God would let us raise good, Christian men who shared our love of family and faith.

And then our second child came, bringing with him a whole new personality. A whole new approach to life. And, yes, new challenges. He was born deaf and as we struggled as parents through the endless parade of doctors and diagnoses, our prayer remained the same. That our sons would grow up to be good Christian men who shared our love of family and faith.

Our love and passion for our kids couldn't be contained and one night after putting the boys to bed we sat and talked about a third. We were apprehensive and not sure. Finances were tough. Time was fleeting. But we knew that God would be with us and we prayed again that God would be with our children.

And God gifted us with a third boy.

Twenty some-odd years of juggling schedules. Of running this way and that. Of buying two shopping carts of groceries and it seems like endless supplies of Band candy bars. Of spit-shining faces before walking into church. Youth trips and Sunday Schools. Away games and mission trips.

This past week we moved our youngest son into college. After we said our goodbyes and gave him our love, we went to a restaurant.

Always before, the question had been, "How many tonight?" And always I had raised my hand with pride and said, "Five."

But this night, after talking about how proud we were of all of our sons and how awesome our God is that our prayers that they would remain strong in faith were answered. This night, as we said our goodbyes and gave our youngest our love.

This night, our reality changed. And we never saw it coming.

"Just two?"

I looked at my wife, smiled a weak smile and said with a hint of sadness a simple, "yes."

An era in our lives has come and gone. And now we start a new one together. And, I can't wait. I can't wait to discover again that love that compelled us to want to share it with our children. I can't wait to see what our prayers will be tomorrow and I can't wait to see how God answers.

Let us pray.

Our gracious God. Where does our time go? Just yesterday we wore backpacks as we started school. Just yesterday we couldn't wait for graduation or marriage or a new job or promotion. But we know we can't live our lives in yesterdays. Because you are eternal and always working in our lives and creating something new and glorious. We ask that today you create in us something new and let everyone see the love that can only come from you. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.

The Blessings of Our Lord Jesus Christ be upon you.

PASTOR TROY CONRAD IS MINISTER OF THE FARMINGTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. EMAIL: [email protected].

Religion on 08/24/2016