I volunteered for this blog post long before I had a clear idea of where God was leading me. For months, I prayed and pondered over the content. A few times, I thought I had found the right direction, it never felt quite right. Then, while driving to what could be our last family vacation together, God revealed His direction: “Passing the Baton.” It was about the current stage of parenting our oldest daughter.

Our oldest is now 18 and two semesters into her college career. Everything up to this point has been through dual enrollment and online, so it hasn’t really felt like she is truly in college. However, this fall she starts her in-seat classes and all that is about to change. But what does that have to do with passing the baton?

It all started with a previous family vacation and the topic of her first college essay two semesters ago. She was asked to write about a favorite memory when she had learned something. She chose a vacation to Helen, Ga from when she was around 15 or 16.  She had been to Helen before when she was younger (maybe around age 7 or 8) and had memories of it being a Christmas fairy land. She had high expectations at that next trip. When we arrived, however, she was somewhat let down that the reality didn’t match her memories. It was still a good trip, but Helen looks different to a 16 year old than it does an 8 year old. She searched for the memories she had in the town, but the shine and sparkle just wasn’t there. She had grown up and was somewhat disappointed with the world around her. This was the lesson of her essay: that it can be hard to grow up and confront the truth of reality sometimes. However, she didn’t stop there. While the shine and sparkle were gone, she found something more valuable. While she has always been fairly strong spiritually, she found God on a deeper level in those mountains.

I’ve been searching for the right words to express the concept of “passing the baton,” and during our recent trip to the mountains, God revealed to me that we are indeed doing just that with our oldest. Educationally, we have already passed the baton; she is now in college. Spiritually, we are also in the process of passing it on. After years of nurturing her faith and guiding her growth, it’s time to celebrate her accomplishments! She has reached this significant milestone. As she embarks on a new chapter in her life, one is closing for us. I am no longer her official teacher, as she was homeschooled. Although she still lives at home and commutes to college, the majority of her waking hours are now influenced by others.

Along with celebrating the accomplishments comes a time of looking back. Are there areas where we were not as strong as others? How can we improve? Spiritually speaking, where are the weaknesses that either Satan impacted us or maybe her, because we failed to protect or stay strong in a certain area? You see, this is not a one and done situation. We will be passing the baton again. We have two other children. But, this is also not limited to parents and children.  Paul discipled Timothy. Pastors disciple church members. There are many programs designed to do just this, but the most effective ones are simply when one mature Christian pours into the life of a younger Christian. 

We can follow the example of Paul and Timothy. In this context, Paul is no longer with Timothy, but still giving instructions. In 2 Timothy 1, Paul tells Timothy how to carry on: 

13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

In chapter two he continues his instructions: 

1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

In passing the baton, we echo the relationship between Paul and Timothy. Paul taught Timothy everything he knew and provided future lessons in written form for him to reference, even while he was imprisoned. Their bond endured despite the physical distance, illustrating that when we pass the baton, we maintain our relationships. Like Paul, we encourage and guide, praying and making petitions to God on behalf of those who are taking up the mantle. We must also trust, believing that God will continue to work in their lives and in ours. Our journey is not over. As we support and pray for the one, we begin to mentor another who is in need of training and instruction, ensuring that the cycle of growth and guidance continues.