There is no longer a “baby” in the house. Perhaps some would consider our youngest a baby, but when your youngest child is 5, it no longer feels like a baby is in the house. Beyond that, our oldest just turned 11. I do not quite understand how it is possible, as her mother and father are not aging! While being beyond the diaper and bottle stage of life is a beautiful blessing, entering into this season of life feels a tad overwhelming. Jr. High seems daunting. Thinking of helping them navigate their growing relationship with Christ, school, extra-curriculars, relationships, etc. almost makes me miss changing diapers and cleaning bottles. Almost.

I remember hearing my Papa make a comment one night after he watched the news that stood out to me, “I feel bad for you and the world you kids have to grow up in.” It is an odd thing for a kid to consider because life or the future is full of promise, potential, and the best case scenarios. As an old man myself, I understand the heart of what Papa was saying. I lament that my kids are growing up in an age where they would rather watch kids play with toys on YouTube than play with the actual toys themselves. I worry if “friendships” will be best realized thru a digital forum and in person moments will be cheaply substituted. I see an outside world that is drowning in confusion and wonder if my kids and their friends will be equipped to navigate it well. Evil abounds, as it always has, and the evil one continues seeking who he may devour. It is easier than ever before for me to look ahead and tell my kids “I feel bad for you and the world you kids have to grow up in.”

Esther finds herself in a tough situation with a future that looks bleak to say the least. I have jumped ahead. Esther is an account in scripture that depicts a young woman who is between the proverbial rock and a hard place. Her people, the Jewish people, are on the verge of annihilation due to the working of an evil man, Haman. Esther is charged by her cousin, Mordecai, to make the King aware of Haman’s plan. She is the Queen so on the surface we may ask, who better to approach the King. The problem is that the King has not given her the permission to be in his presence. The king’s presence can only be accessed if he has called for you. A violation of this is almost certain death. Esther informs her cousin of this dynamic. Someone else will have to “save the day” because for her to speak up will cost her everything. Yet, as Mordecai points out, if Esther does not speak up, she will lose everything as well. What a difficult future ahead of Esther. Restlessness surely resided in the Queens chambers those nights. Mordecai offers one further challenge to Esther. “Perhaps you have been put in this role for such a time as this!” is his charge and it is a powerful one. Esther no longer focuses on the obstacle before her but the opportunity God, in His sovereignty, has brought her to. She charges all the people of Israel to pray and fast for three days before approaching the king. Haman’s plans to kill the Jewish people is ultimately thwarted and evil is overcome.

“For such a time as this” is quite the statement and something I would like for you to consider. As we send our children out into the future, what would happen if we raised them with purpose instead of cheap pleasures and thrills? Perhaps my fear of their future world would subside if I believed in God’s sovereign timing He brought my children into the world for “such a time as this.” Rather than fearing my children will be overcome by the world I might be fearful of what the world would look like if my children forfeit the opportunity before them to glorify their Father!

It’s understandable to feel intimidated by the future at times. The evil one is working hard, but we must remember that God is sovereign over our future and that of our children. Let us find rest in that assurance. As a parent, you may feel unprepared for the role, but trust that you have been placed here at this moment for a reason. Your child has also been given for such a time as this. It’s our responsibility to raise them to live for God’s glory in a world that values self-promotion. We must teach them to stand firm in truth and to see all people as valuable image bearers of God, who our Heavenly Father died to redeem. Although the task may be challenging, we can trust that God will equip us for this season, as we have been brought here for such a time as this.

Grace and Peace, my friends.