The world knows about my Brandon... the one whom most of my writings are inspired by.
But I do have another son, Matthew.
He just turned 18 on July 6th.
And a Navy Recruiter just left my living room.
I sit here stunned by that.
Not stunned in horror that he wants to join the Navy, or become a Navy Seal.
I'm quite proud of him for wanting to serve our country in one of the finest ways possible.
"Non Sibi Sed Patriae" --- Not for self but for country...
But stunned that for all practical purposes, my journey as Michelle his 'mommy' has ended; and his journey as Matthew the 'man' has begun.
Three things I know for sure about that: 1) He was never mine, always God's. I was merely the caretaker. 2) His destination in life was never for me to determine. For me to dream about maybe, but not for me to determine. I was merely the tour guide on a pre-destined path designed by God. 3) His life with an autistic brother has prepared him better than I ever could, to face any twist and turn on any path he chooses to follow.
Compared to most any teenagers his age, he's seen more, lived more, endured more, and has matured more.
"Yesterday was the only easy day" -- may be a Navy Seal motto, --- but before I ever heard that saying, it's been how our family's life with autism has been.
So yeah, anything beyond that seems easy in comparison!
And so as in Ecclesiastes 3:1 when it talks about there being a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven, - I suppose it's implied that all those times listed there could apply to your first born son turning 18 and wanting to join the military.
And so as the Recruiter, my son, my husband, and myself sat there for a couple hours asking and answering and then asking again - question after question ---I felt a peace.
I know Matt can do and achieve anything he sets his mind to.
He's brilliant, he's practical, and he's a survivor.
Sure, there are things we don't know...
Sure, there are things I'm scared about for him...
But we have a God for that.
A God who will be with him every step he takes.
A God who knows the plans he has for him, plans to prosper him, give him hope, a future, during this time,
his time...
A God who will never leave or forsake anyone who is His, seeking Him, along this path,
His path...
The unofficial Navy Motto is:
Non Sibi Sed Patriae
"Not for ourselves but for our Country"
But perhaps Matt, change that last part to "For God."
Country's, like man, can fail you or fall into the hands of evil.
But God can't, and never will.
Always remember that.
And this:
I'm so very proud of you son...
Love,
Mom.
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