Two ships passing in the night....

13 I can do all things through Christ[a] who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

It was a beautiful evening down by the university that sat on the shores of Lake Superior. A slight gentle breeze was blowing waves of refreshing coolness on the faces of the newly minted graduating seniors. 

Sitting on the water were the tall ships they spent years crafting through hard work and study.  Tall masts with academic banners blowing gently in the wind as they wait for their newly minted captains to take the helm. 

Off in the horizon, I could see other ships heading in. They appeared like specks with a little light beam shattering the darkness of the sea. Once the blare of the horn sounded, these young captains ran to the ramp to climb aboard. They were giddy with light laughter as they foresaw the beginning of their life's journey, a journey yet uncharted to paradise yonder. 

The young captains signaled for the ships horn to be blown, as though they were signaling to the world that things are in good hands with these newly minted graduates. Anchors were pulled on the deck while the engines were slowly pushing the ship through the water, but then propelling the ship at a faster clip.

 As these glistening ships sped ahead, they began to take a closer look at the other ships now returning to shore.  Unlike the new ships, these other ships were worn and tattered waiting to be retired for good.  Through the binoculars, these young men could see that the bow of the other ships looked as though they have seen life's tragedies a little too often with deep dents in their bow.  The crew of those ships looked worn and tired. The other ships flags were tattered with long threads that were pulling apart. While the newer ships passed by, they wave a friendly hello to the ships returning home, as though they were thanking them for their service.

Alas, life is like those ships. As parents, we launch our children once they are prepared to take on life's responsibilities.  If we do our jobs right, our children will enter the world with confidence and intellect to tackle the world's problems.  

Just as our children watched us from afar performing life's work, we now can cast our admiring glances and watch our children become the men and woman God intended them to be!