A moment to let go just a little bit more

Yesterday Eldest and I hung out a bit at the cafe before she had to go to summer camp.  As we sat there, she with her grow-up sized peppermint hot chocolate and reading the paper, I had one of those "Our baby is growing up, and I don't like it!"  moments.  It took all my will power not to tear up and break into my own rendition of Butterfly Kisses ;-)   She really is growing up into such a wonderful young lady.  As these moments are bound to happen more and more, I am reminded that God walks with us into the world with the hopes that we make faithful choices, always remember God, respond to grace with gratitude and ultimately grow into every intention that God has for us.  And as I fight the urge to freeze in time each of my baby girls, I too am reminded that we too must have the same hopes for our own children.  And in the end, we, in many ways, must learn to let them go.

And as we wallow in our own struggles to let her and her sisters grow into who God hopes them to become, I remember that in the letting go it is not about my own difficulties with watching my children grow up, but it is about how we always, always, always, must encourage them to remember who's they are over and above our own needs to keep them bound by our own expectation and hopes. 

They are God's and God will never let them go.

Thanks be to God.

Comments

[Carol]

Beautiful! Both Eldest and your words!:-) It's a constant balance, isn't it? I'm so excited that our Eldest is about to go to Kindergarten and also aware that he's growing up quickly and we don't have babies anymore. I personally tend to land more on the "thank goodness they're growing up" side of things!

[introverted one]

I second that emotion...

[Kerri PD]

amen and amen!

[Wendy Bailey]

I think letting go can be the most rewarding part of parenting ... you begin to really see how wonderful God has made them.

[David Esche]

Having raised two boys to just above and just below the age of 30, I can testify that you are on the right track. Continue to fight the urge and give thanks to God.

[Amy Florence]

You've brought back memories of when my three daughters were younger. The baby is 20 and in college and the older two are 26 and 28 and gainfully employed college graduates striking out into lives of their own. They are evidence of many answered prayers. Blessings to your family.

[Bruce Reyes-Chow]

Thanks all for the good thoughts. Ain't kids GREAT!

[Lisa]

I'm not a parent, but bravo! And Ev looks beyootiful, of course. Is that new hair? Please tell her I said hello!

[Anna Gnann]

Your words hit close to home as I have two daughters, the oldest of which will start Kindergarten in a few weeks. It is so hard to watch them grow so fast! I want to hold them tight and stop time, and also let them grow and learn and experience! I constantly remind them they are a special child of God!
Oh...my prayers blessings on your new position as moderator. Our new minister (Pen Peery) says great things about the gifts God has given you. May God's grace abound in your life!

[Mom]

Just think Bruce, you have two more beautiful, strong, intelligent and unique daughters growing just as fast. I can remember when you were just.....(more about that later on my blog!) Your daughters have amazing parents! Thanks be to God!

[Julian Newman]

I love this post. I have 3 daughters and they are growing up and I am in the same boat watching them get older. Very cool blog, my friend. I am a fellow pastor and blogger and I think you are doing good work here.