Letting Go

I tried to wait patiently but I couldn't. Where were they? Why hadn't they arrived yet, like so many other couples? I kept looking for his car- not paying attention to the announcements of the other names. Finally, I saw his car pulling into the parking lot and I felt myself let out a breath of relief. My son and his date stepped out of the car at the Red Carpet event for prom!
A mixture of emotions swept over me as I heard their names being announced. How did the time go so quickly? Just yesterday I was holding him in my arms and wondering how I could keep up with two children instead of just one! In the next few months I will be sending my second child off to college. When his sister moved out two years ago I struggled with some strong feelings and emotions. I was worried about the steps she would take, the decisions she would make and how she could possibly get along with out me-her mother! Now I find myself at this point again but this time I already know the answer to my fears.

"Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it."
Proverbs 22:6

When our daughter left the nest two years ago I read or should I say reread this passage. I thought about it for many days and also prayed to God to let the feelings of insecurity go away. What I found was peace about letting go. Ultimately, our children are gifts from God and they really belong to him. The amount of time that I could worry about my children would be a waste of time and would not help them in any way. So each day I place them in the arms of Jesus when I begin to get that feeling of worry. We have raised all three of our kids in the knowledge that Jesus is their Savior and the importance of that in their lives.

Now does that mean that their lives won't be filled with choices, decisions, heartbreak, sadness, mountain tops, valleys and so on? No! Each of their days will be filled with finding their way and maturing into beautiful adults. God has a plan for each of them and will be there every step they make. That fact makes letting them go easier.