Heb. 6 NIV 10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.
The end of the school year is upon us. In fact, for this family, many endings are coming upon me. In my last blog post, you read that our son will be graduating in June. Our daughter will be traveling to a foreign country for at least two months, but the amount spent was for a one way ticket. 🙁 Questions come floating to the surface during this season to clutter the celebrations: Did I do a good job? If you have a child leaving your home city whether it is because of work or the draw of adventure, you may be praying, did I give them proper tools to make the right decisions.? Will they get hurt? Here are other queries.: What will my graduate do now? What will I do now? Will I be needed? How will I be needed in their lives? Oh no – Will I be needed/ or wanted in anyone’s life? With your own circumstances, you fill in the blank. My position for the last 18 years is coming to a close. You could say I am retiring. Yes, our son will be living at home as he attends the local community college, but my role in his life will be, must be different. Kind of scary at times. God is always at work in my life which means these questions were being addressed already through the year. Am I truly helping with growth and maturity or do I have a subtle need for control? Remember this is the youngest. Of course I want him to succeed. WHY ? Was I encouraging actions to be completed for his sake of for mine? HMMM Good question. Anxiety and tears were getting slightly out of hand depending on his response. My husband told me he could see I would open my hand for a while. Yay peace. Then a slight turn and well, the circle started again. God is so patient with me. The open hand for me is never dependent on my actions. He knows what I need and when I need His exact input. During my quiet time, I was ranting about MY lack of direction for my son.(Do you see the irony of that statement?) God asked “Will you be willing to allow him to grow, even if it means you are not the primary one having an effect on him?” OH GOODNESS!!! UGH.I do not even know what that looks like. I have done it this way for so long. Was I not to give him suggestions on work or jobs? I did not want to pick up the shattered pieces if plans fall apart. —–God’s Response: TRUST ME Breathe a Sigh! Friends and teachers from school become involved in his life during his senior year, drawing out positive gifts God had placed inside. These gifts might have always been close to the surface, but my focus or approach to other areas was not letting him see it. Keeping my hands and eyes open allowed him to want to try. Spiritual growth has taken place where he is spontaneously praying for or about friends without being prompted.—–:) After reflecting upon the question, dialoguing with God and having the gifts pointed out to me, my eyes returned to the verse of the day.
Heb. 6:10-11 10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers,[b] as you still do. 11 Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true.
I stepped into the quiet. God met me. He showed me I needed to release my son. God showed me the love I have for my son will not be forgotten.It has gone deep. It will come out as God controls and directs the plan. I will keep loving him. The expression will be different. This is a new and exciting journey for both of us. Moms, you who are releasing grads (especially your last ones), step into the quiet. Mothers whose children are moving to new adventures through work or travels, release yourselves to God. Allow God to speak His heart into yours. Free your anxieties to Him. He sees your need. He will give you Direction and Wisdom. God will surround you with His arms in Love and Peace.
Matthew 11:28
This is such a beautiful and helpful piece. My son makes this transition next year and you give me ideas of how to make this easier. For years, I struggled with the idea of this end of school letting go experience until I realized that I had to make myself grow or I might hamper this progress. I wanted him to look at me and be proud that his mom adapted to this huge change. Thank you for sharing the truth that is not so easy to share. Hope you and your children are blessed through the changes coming.
Mine are still young, but the idea of no longer being the keeper of the school schedule and transporter brought a tear to my eye. There will be a day when they no longer need my all-encompassing, daily services; what will I do then? The seemingly mundane of today will be a lost and treasured memory tomorrow. It is hard to look ahead to find the beauty in today. Thank you.