Last night I was up until 1am with April and our 18 year old son Jackson.
Jack is doing hard laborious work 8+ hours a day and is coming home pretty tired so when he’s a little rested we’ve been looking for time to just hear what’s going on in his heart.
Such a crazy season where Jack has graduated and is filling his weekly rhythm with jobs where he can get training in construction and property management since he wants to get into real estate.
As conversation about dreams and the future got deeper and as Jack started to articulate his passion for leading and providing for the future of our family he looked at me and said, “Dad, you’re going to be a great old man. I can’t wait to give you a big garden where you can just enjoy yourself and have slower days.”
I had just been talking about some of the financial pressures we were feeling and it’s so reassuring to know my son loves me and is already thinking about the pleasure he’ll feel in providing for me during those future vulnerable years,
I felt joy in that moment and got a glimpse of what Solomon wrote, “A wise son brings joy to his father.” (Proverbs 10:1)
Remember that as you build your family team, and as your children grow in love and wisdom for the family the best days come toward the end of life when the pace of life slows and you get to just bask in the presence of your strong and loving family.
Think about that day or season. What will it feel like? What do you hope for? Is there any small things you can be doing to put yourself in that direction?
~Jeremy
This entry is a part of Jeremy’s Journal, a newsletter Jeremy sends out every Wednesday morning to encourage you on your parenting journey. You can sign up to get them every Wednesday here.