Mixed Emotions

by Tom Osbeck

We are in a period of transition here at JiHM, and when you're my age (nearly 100), change is difficult. 

Currently this transition involves the Beacon, my home with 17 young men. (For a few weeks over Christmas with guys home on break, we had 20 here. That is a crowd to feed.) The time has come for some of the older boys to move into their own apartments. For those of you who have had kids leave, you know I am thrilled—but there is still that pang in my heart.

Tyson and Tito got their own apartment a few blocks away, and are very happy. They both have jobs to sustain them so that is positive. Three to four others are in the process of moving so I will be down to TEN. My house will be "empty."

My goal in bringing these young men into the Beacon is first to provide a safe, stable place where they can be discipled and have a home. Next is to prepare them for life on their own. Tito came to me as a very sick 9-year-old boy. That was 15 years ago. Today he leaves happy, healthy and starting his own journey. 

I visited their home the other day and Tyson was sleeping.

I said, "Well, you can't get in trouble. Your house, your rules." (At home, the boys aren't allowed to sleep between 8 am and 8 pm.) We had a good laugh out of that. 

So cool to see them leave, with tears for all, but to know they know this is their forever family, I'm their forever person. Odd thing is, over the years as the boys move on, I actually become much better friends with them. When they are home, it's not my job to be their friend—I'm the rule maker and enforcer. When they leave, we can be friends. Nice how it works out.

Please pray for the transitions of these young men. They have been taught—pray they follow their teachings. I am so grateful that God chose me to play this part in their lives.

Part of my motivation has always been that I had a great dad, and believe everyone deserves that. I hope someday they say I was a great dad. 

Okay, I'll settle for good.

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