This picture may be a little confusing at first. It’s a photo of my rearview mirror. In the car behind me is my 17-year-old daughter driving alone for the first time.

How in the world did we get here? As I’ve had some time on sabbatical, I’ve reflected on how I’m doing as a parent. I haven’t been perfect by any means; yet I feel pretty good about it. It’s funny how there’s no users guide to having children. My strategy has been to stay close to the Lord, model for my kids what the Holy Spirit is teaching me in life, and make each decision with as much prayer and faithfulness as possible. So far it’s working.

I’m amazed at how good God is at helping us to do the really important things that we don’t know how to do. If you were to ask me my parenting style, I would call it “winging it with God’s help.”

I’m so proud of both my kids. I’m sad that the time is getting short with Hannah before she leaves for college, but I could not be happier with the young woman she is turning out to be.

Thank you Lord.