One evening I was reading on the porch enjoying the cool of the evening. The sun set and the light faded. I put my book away and enjoyed the cool evening and the lights blinking on in the darkening night. The moon rose into the eastern sky. It looked big as it always does when it is near the horizon. For a moment the moon hovered between two Blue Spruce trees at the corner the neighbor’s house. Beyond was the spire of Trinity Church. For the first time it occurred to me how much and how quickly the trees had grown. We had lived in the house about six years. In that time the trees had grown from below the roofline to three feet above. I hadn’t taken time before to notice that they were growing but they were.
It made me think about Daniel and Wesley who are young boys now. Sometimes I think I am going to look away and when I look back they will be grown and making plans for the future. They won’t sleep in the next room anymore. They won’t come into my room every night to talk a little before they go to sleep. Their schedules won’t be so open for me to take them hiking or camping. They won’t be waiting around to ride bikes. They won’t bring me my ball glove or a football in the evening.
Little boys are like healthy young spruce trees, if we’re not careful they will grow tall while we are not paying attention.
Father in Heaven, Help this earthly father today to pay attention to how quickly my little sons and daughter will grow big. Help them grow straight and beautiful for You, Lord. I know a tree is a miracle of God, how much more a little soul growing into godly manhood or womanhood. Remind me every day how swift-growing my children are. Amen.
