Prince 1....the almost adult

It hit me last night that Prince 1 is almost there. Athough I believe becoming an "adult" happends to people at different ages. I ran into a precious young man Friday night who graduated from High School 2 1/2 years ago. I mentioned something about being an adult and he told me that he didn't consider himself an adult yet. In fact he asked me when I thought he would ever become and adult. Watching him struggle through the past few years searching for what he wants to do with his life has been a painful experience. If only our children could learn from what we know......if only they could benefit from your experiences, failures and successes. This young man has a great future in store for him, I just know it. Of course it isn't happening as quickly as we might think it should.....but I believe God has plans for him and he will be a fabulous asset to the 'adult population'. Which brings me back to Prince 1. I see such potential and hope in this young man. He brings a smile to my face when I think about him or each time he walks in the room. Yet he is not able to see what I see. He sees himself as confused and without direction. Why do we put pressure on 17 year olds to know at this point what they want to do with the rest of their lives? At 17 they usually don't even think beyond the next weekend. I truly believe that we best help our children when we give them the space and freedom to search for their passion. How many people knew at 17 exactly what they wanted to do with their whole life and did it? I know if you would have asked me at 17 what I would be doing at 46 it would not be what I am doing now. Don't get me wrong...I love my life....but it is certainly not what I would have projected. Consider the King of the Castle.....his 1st degree was from Texas A & M in Psychology. Here he is at 44, full time in the Arkansas Air National Guard. Life is full of opportunities and we need not waste it doing something we do not like to do! My 2 cents.