” Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among those who are sanctified.” Acts 20:32
Paul said these words as he was leaving the people of Ephesus that he had taught and converted. He had told them about God’s love and Christ’s sacrifice. He had loved them as his own , but now it was time for them to part ways.
This time of year, many parents will be sending their kids off to college or off on their own. They will be saying good bye to their adult kids and grandkids who have visited on vacation. The end of summer is a time for goodbyes, just like Paul and his Ephesian friends. What beautiful words Paul gives us that we can give our loved ones when they can’t be with us day in and day out. What a wonderful prayer. Commit them to God who can watch over them even when we cannot. Commit them to His word of grace as His children who are to inherit eternal life. Paul prays for God’s Word to guide them. We should do no less for our kids.
If it is a time of farewells for you and one of your adult children, take heart and know that they are never out of God’s watchful eye. You may not know what they are doing from day to day, the choices they choose to make, but God knows – even before they make the choices. He knows their hearts and He knows you have instilled His teachings in them.
Turn them over to the best Father of all and have faith that what ever they go through, there is a way back to His grace. They will make mistakes – we will make mistakes. But our inheritance is a God who forgives and restores. We have passed that inheritance on. What greater thing can we see them off with than that?
Heavenly Lord, watch over your children, young and old, near and far. Let Your ways be the light on our path in life. Let our prayers for our loved ones reach Your ears and Your assurance that You are in control calm our hearts. We cannot always be with those we love, but You can. Let us commit each other to You, the God and Father of all. Amen.
“When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. ..Then they accompanied him to the ship.” Acts 20:36-37
