This morning as I was reading Parenting By Design I thought about the days of raising my children. The devotion title was "Release Control". Do I have an issue with this???
Recently Jenni flew to Tampa on business. My baby girl flew, ALONE to Tampa! Well, I wanted to buy a ticket and jump on the plane with her - she might need me for something! She probably would have let me... but I didn't. At some point I have to let go...
This week Andy is packing up and heading to Texas for six weeks. He will be playing the drums for worship and life-guarding during the day at Pine Cove / Outback Camp. I wish I could go with him and hold his hand, he might need me for something! But that would look really silly and embarrass him! At some point I have to let go...
If I'm always holding on to my kids, and doing "for them", they will not learn to rely and depend on Christ - so as hard as it might be, I have to learn to release. Children are supposed to grow up, move out, and live responsible lives without their parents looking over their shoulder and doing "for them" what they can do for themselves. At some point we have to trust that our kids learned the lessons we tried to teach and then trust them to go into the world and live it out!
My heart is overflowing with joy because my children have become such an amazing young adults who love the Lord and live their lives to show it. Their words and actions both reflect the relationships they have with Christ. I really didn't realize it at the time, but Ronald and I were raising our kids IN CHRIST not IN CHURCH. There is a difference. Yes, church was a weekly worship activity, but worship was a 24/7 activity for us. God is everywhere and we wanted Jenni and Andy to grow up knowing and recognizing it in their own lives. We wanted them to learn that we as their parents would move heaven and earth if we could, and many times we tried! But the best lesson we can teach our kids is to put their trust in the One who created the heavens and earth!
So, Jenni is 27 and Andy is about to be 24 - what do I do now? I still want to go on their "field trips"; I still want to hold their hand so they won't fall or get hurt; I still want to be their mommy.
I've learned that an important part of Christian parenting is trusting our kids in the hands of the One who loves them most. I find it hard to believe that anyone could love my children more than I do - but God does. He is their Creator. He is the One who gave me these precious gifts and He has chosen their paths.
Jeremiah 29:11 tells us; " I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for."
John 10:10 tells us; "I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of."
If I truly believe this - I will "release" my need to control and trust God to do as He promised.
Lord, thank you for the two precious gifts you gave me in Jenni and Andy. They are grown adults who have given their lives to You and I can see that so clearly. Please help me to release them into your care. Help me to find ways to continue to be their "mommy" without feeling the need to control and hold on. Help me to encourage them to step out and take chances, giving them the opportunity to see and trust You in their lives. You've always been there and I know You always will be! Thank You for holding Jenni and Andy close and protecting them along the way. I love you.
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