Our children started school today.
It was a reminder of many things.
They are growing up, they are maturing, and they are no longer my children with tiny fingers and toes completely dependent on me. As I walked each one to their first day for Kindergarten, (many years ago) I was a nervous wreck. Neither child had been away from me, not even to a grandparents house, much less a daycare provider. I dreaded the process, although it should have been a wonderful experience. Both of my children gave a confident wave and walked bravely into their classrooms, never looking back. It was I, their mother, who brushed the tears away as I gasped for air through my ugly cry.
I was a mother, forced to let her children go....and grow.
I could have easily kept them at home, smothering them with my time, love and attention but in the long run, I knew the brief departure was better. They eventually built friendships, learned new experiences and always...always came back home to me.
This year was harder letting my children go. Our son started his first day of high school...this, following the week he became a permit licensed driver and obtained his hunter's safety card. Where did the time go? I knew that next year would be the last "first day" I would take him to school. The final two years, he would be legal to drive himself.
There was no solace found with our daughter at home with me for her studies. Each day I can see growth and maturity in her and as her mother, I am letting go of her in my own way. I must allow her to be the individual that God created and trust that I am following his desires for her. I am not only letting them go to grow, but also releasing my children to God each day.
Today I was also reminded of letting go of Nathan and Haylee. Although God had already welcomed them into his arms, I still had to let them go out of mine. Selfish, you might say, but others understand it was a nightmare.
As parents we are going to give our children wings while we give them roots. A newborn must learn to roll over, crawl and eventually walk. A hovering mother can try, but she will never prevent the cuts, scrapes and bruises that little boys and girls will inevitably get. We have to let go of our ways of control in our children, but also in our own lives.
I did not dedicate my children and receive salvation on the steps of a courthouse or public building, I did it in God's house. I dedicated my heart, my life, and my children's life to God. I let go of them long ago. So, today, I am reminded that my love will give them roots and I pray that God can give them their wings......
It was a reminder of many things.
They are growing up, they are maturing, and they are no longer my children with tiny fingers and toes completely dependent on me. As I walked each one to their first day for Kindergarten, (many years ago) I was a nervous wreck. Neither child had been away from me, not even to a grandparents house, much less a daycare provider. I dreaded the process, although it should have been a wonderful experience. Both of my children gave a confident wave and walked bravely into their classrooms, never looking back. It was I, their mother, who brushed the tears away as I gasped for air through my ugly cry.
I was a mother, forced to let her children go....and grow.
I could have easily kept them at home, smothering them with my time, love and attention but in the long run, I knew the brief departure was better. They eventually built friendships, learned new experiences and always...always came back home to me.
This year was harder letting my children go. Our son started his first day of high school...this, following the week he became a permit licensed driver and obtained his hunter's safety card. Where did the time go? I knew that next year would be the last "first day" I would take him to school. The final two years, he would be legal to drive himself.
There was no solace found with our daughter at home with me for her studies. Each day I can see growth and maturity in her and as her mother, I am letting go of her in my own way. I must allow her to be the individual that God created and trust that I am following his desires for her. I am not only letting them go to grow, but also releasing my children to God each day.
Today I was also reminded of letting go of Nathan and Haylee. Although God had already welcomed them into his arms, I still had to let them go out of mine. Selfish, you might say, but others understand it was a nightmare.
As parents we are going to give our children wings while we give them roots. A newborn must learn to roll over, crawl and eventually walk. A hovering mother can try, but she will never prevent the cuts, scrapes and bruises that little boys and girls will inevitably get. We have to let go of our ways of control in our children, but also in our own lives.
I did not dedicate my children and receive salvation on the steps of a courthouse or public building, I did it in God's house. I dedicated my heart, my life, and my children's life to God. I let go of them long ago. So, today, I am reminded that my love will give them roots and I pray that God can give them their wings......