Sometimes nephews say it best

CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose

that prevails.”

-- PROVERBS 19:21

I love watching children grow and mature and seek to follow God.

One young man I love dearly and have especially enjoyed watching is

our oldest nephew Matthew, son of my sister Marty and her husband

Dave. I think you will enjoy his insights about life, so here they

are:

“I happily jumped at the chance to write my Aunt Cindy’s column

this week. I wanted to make the most of my opportunity, so after much

reflection, I decided to reveal my latest personal observation ...

“I was lucky to spend some long overdue time with my youngest

brother recently. I am the oldest of three boys in the Chapman family

of five. We live down the hall from one another, but I’d lost touch

with my youngest brother John throughout the school year. I’d been

busy completing my second year at Orange Coast College, performing my

duties as co-captain of the men’s crew team. John, or Bundles (his

stage name in a school play) as I affectionately call him, finished

his freshman year at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School in San Juan

Capistrano, my alma mater. He ran cross-country and made the varsity

soccer team, as well as the varsity lacrosse team, all while playing

club soccer. John managed to fit school, multiple sports and a

considerable amount of flirting into his schedule, so congratulations

were definitely in order.

“This brief history brings us to late June. Our summer schedules

were yet to begin and we were left with the week to exhaust together.

We spent our time surfing, running errands, eating and just driving,

all the while throwing around calculated snippets of informative

banter. We discussed usual brotherly topics including surf wax,

college, blond versus brunet, parents, music and back to girls. My

brother was searching for most of the things I wrestle with daily;

specifically, what God’s purpose and direction is for our lives.

“There is an answer to our daily, anxious life planning and

personal expectations. God’s plan for my life, my brother’s life or

anyone else’s life will prevail if he is given the chance to be in

our lives. Trusting God with your future, your next minute and your

next breath is the faith sought by God. This faith is the hardest

answer to our quiet expectations and questions. I struggle with my

faith daily, but through prayer, God’s purpose can prevail. This is a

lesson I hope John and I can both practice as men and as leaders of

our family in the days and years to come.

“As I close, one last thing: Take the time to get reacquainted

with a loved one, because you are in their lives for a purpose.”

Matthew has learned a great deal in 21 years and welcomes what God

has planned for him. Thank you, Matt, for that great reminder that no

matter what our age, we need to maintain our relationships with loved

ones and God and ask for God’s direction in our lives daily.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at

cindy@onthegrow.com or through the mail at 537 Newport Center Drive,

Box 505, Newport Beach, CA 92660.