Proverbs 22:6 ~ Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Mountain Retreat 2014: I had to catch him off guard to get this photo.

As parents we raise our children to one day take their place in the world, desiring all the best that God has for them. But when the day finally comes to say goodbye, as that child leaves home and spreads his wings, we can’t help but wonder if he is ready—if we are ready. The smile on my face hides a lump in my throat. Did we teach him all that he needs to know? Did we instill in him a love for God and a heart to love and serve Him as we do? Does he have the proper skills to be successful in relationships, in his job, in money management, and in other areas of his life? Does he know how much we love him? Do we have any idea how much we’re going to miss him?

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Bobby has been our challenge child. Not that the other two are perfect angels, but he has certainly kept us on our knees. We have made mistakes, and so has he. But looking back on the photo journey above, I see that we have a right good many happy memories. He actually gave me a hug this morning before he left. He gave me a hug! I’ll cherish that moment forever.

Bobby has gone to take a job in another state, back where he was born and raised, back where his friends still live. We already knew his heart never left there. I thank God for how he has led and preserved our middle child over the years. He has faced some significant disappointments recently and was struggling to know what his next step should be. Then just last week we went back home for a wedding, and on the morning of the wedding Bobby had a job interview. Isn’t it amazing how God directs our steps! Praise our Father for providing a job in a place where Bobby will be comfortable living, and where he has good friends and a good church.

For nineteen years we have cared for this son of ours by faith in Christ, and now we get to trust God to care for him without us. (Well, with a lot less of our help. Those strings are not completely severed just yet.) Bobby has trusted Christ for salvation, and now he gets to trust Christ for daily provisions and safety. So as one of our eaglets spreads his wings to fly away, though he was always in God’s hands, we commit our son anew into the hands of the One Who loves him with an everlasting love.

Thank you for allowing me to share an intimate moment. If you have already walked this road, feel free to leave comments to encourage us. I must say that letting go is the hardest part of parenting. So many things I wish I could do over, but we don’t get do-overs in life, only fresh starts.

Lamentations 3:21-27 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.

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