Chaney's walk

My dear husband of 23 years will admit that he generally lacks creativity, but I must give him praise for the plan he developed to help our son mark his 18th birthday. Several weeks ago, Paul contacted several men who have played key roles in Chaney's life and asked them to take part in a special event in which they would have the opportunity to spend a few minutes sharing advice with Chaney.

Last Saturday afternoon, Paul took Chaney to Radnor Lake. They walked the short distance from the East Parking Lot to the Lake Trail, where they met up with my dad, much to Chaney's surprise. Paul then passed Chaney off to my father, and grandson and grandfather walked and talked along the Lake Trail for several minutes - the conversation included a reference to Napoleon - until they rendezvoused with my brother Todd at the point where Ganier Ridge branches off from the Lake Trail. Todd and Chaney then continued to walk along the Lake Trail until they reached the lake overlook, where my brother Trev awaited his turn on the journey. Trev escorted Chaney to the Visitor Center, where Scott was waiting. Scott is a Belmont student who has been serving as a Student Ministry intern at our church, and he has been a wonderful mentor for Chaney during the past few months. Scott and Chaney backtracked up the Lake Access Trail, then walked across the dam where they met Bob, who has worked with Chaney at church for the past four years and is one of his current Sunday School teachers. Bob and Chaney walked east on Otter Creek Road along the lake's shoreline until they met up with Randy, another adult whose life has intersected Chaney's through the Student Ministry at our church. Randy and Chaney then completed the final leg of this special journey and rejoined Paul and some of Chaney's previous walking  companions at the original drop-off point on the Lake Trail. The group talked for a few moments and then shared a prayer together before everyone dispersed.

Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." I am grateful for the countless ways in which God has used each one of these men to sharpen my son. I told Chaney that when he turns 21, he will be taking a walk with a bunch of women. :)