“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work His good pleasure.” Â Â Philippians 2:12-13
This last year has brought about many changes for our family. My husband, Ron, is a pastor and had served at the same church for 13 years. Through circumstances only God could orchestrate, he accepted a position at a new church. This might not have been such an overwhelming endeavor had our youngest, Landon, not been entering his senior year of high school.
Landon was a football player and had many friends both at school and church. We did not want him to resent us for forcing him to move at such a monumental time in his life. We decided to allow Landon to decide whether he would move with us or not. We still had family in town and were willing to let him stay with them in order to finish his senior year. To be perfectly honest, the only reason we would even consider leaving this decision up to our 17-year-old is because our move was only an hour and a half way.
A few weeks into the process, Landon sat us down and said, “I have prayed a lot about whether to stay here and finish high school or move with ya’ll and start my senior year at a new high school. I feel God is telling me He wants me to move with my family.” After many tears and additional discussion, Ron and I were blown away and grateful at the maturity and faith that our baby boy was exhibiting.
I wish that I could share with you that Landon’s senior year was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G…but it was not. Landon could not break through the political schemes of his new high school football coaching staff. No matter how hard he worked, it was coach politics over talent or ability. We have NEVER given our boys permission to quit anything they start. However, this time, we did. I don’t say that flippantly, Landon had aspirations to play collegiate football. We all knew that quitting would forfeit that option.
Again, Landon showed fortitude, wisdom, and determination beyond his age. He did not quit but subjected himself to humiliation at the hands of “adult” coaches for the next several weeks. He kept saying, “I’m not a quitter.”
For those not familiar with high school athletics, there is a special designated night called “Senior Night.” And Senior Night in high school football world is kind of a big deal. It’s the last home game seniors will play for their high schools. Landon’s Senior Night was filled with heart breaking emotions for all of us. I remember hugging him after the game and whispering in his ear how sorry I was his senior football experience did not go the way we had hoped and prayed. Landon was resolved but I could tell he was hurting.
After football season, Ron and I tried to help Landon focus on finishing strong and looking toward his college choices. He did receive some football offers but never had peace about any of them. In fact, Landon was struggling with anxiety during this time. He pictured his senior year going much differently. He had an expectation of his own making. He believed that God would allow his football season to be spectacular because he had stepped out in faith to move with us. When his expectations of God were not met in the way he imagined, Landon (admittedly), struggled with his faith. God did not work out Landon’s senior year the way he had pictured or expected which led to a faith-crisis.
How many times in our lives have we (adults) experienced that same faith-crisis? In our minds we knew exactly what God should do in our situations and yet He did not answer the way we expected. Many times, I have exclaimed to The Lord, “I stepped out in faith…where are You in this thing?!” In my own faith journey I struggled to get outside of my own head and expectations to fully depend on the sovereignty of my Savior.
During this particular season, I remember praying and journaling to the Lord to redeem this year for Landon. I begged the Lord to show him His faithfulness in such an amazing and powerful way. Most importantly, I pleaded for the Lord to heal Landon from the overwhelming feelings he was experiencing and to bind the enemy.
Then…on Mother’s Day 2018, The Lord showed up BIG TIME for Landon. Dr. Rodney Carr walked into our church with his mom for Mother’s Day. His mom was a member of our church and Dr. Carr was there to visit her. Little did we know that he was also there to meet Landon. Dr. Carr is the Vice President of Student Success at Valdosta State University. He invited Landon to visit VSU on a special tour with the possibility of playing football. What??!!!
Our visit to VSU was scheduled the day before Landon’s graduation. He loved the campus and got the opportunity to tour the football facilities and meet the coaches. Since our visit was the end of May, the coach explained that they had been filling their roster since November of last year and it was full. He did invite Landon to join the football team in the spring. Landon was a little disappointed but not discouraged. However, God was not done yet…
Landon’s major is Exercise Physiology. It’s his goal to be a professional strength and conditioning coach. After our visit, the football staff and Dr. Carr orchestrated a plan for Landon to work for and with VSU’s strength/conditioning coach his first semester on campus. Who but God alone?! Landon has such a peace and excitement about his college career. Â God’s timing and sanctifying work is always perfect. Now…College decision made, Landon’s anxiety has subsided, and he has an amazing testimony to share of God’s faithfulness in his own life.
- Why do I share all of this? I have prayed for my boys a bold but difficult prayer since they were little. I prayed that The Lord would teach them faith and dependence on Him at a young age. I have had to watch both of my sons “work out their salvation” through various trails and circumstances in their young lives. It has been difficult to watch. There were times I regretted praying that prayer. But God…was and is faithful, always. Ron and I could talk about the Lord’s faithfulness to Landon all day because we have experienced it ourselves. But, Landon needed to learn it personally from His Savior.
Moms and Dads, be careful not to swoop in and rescue when you know God is at work in your child. Don’t take the place of the Holy Spirit in your son or daughter’s  life. Let God do His sanctifying work. At times it will be difficult to watch them work out the sanctification of their salvation. But, remember everything He does in our children’s lives are for their good and His Glory. Hang in there and stay on your knees on their behalf. It will be so worth it…I promise.
