letting go…

I’ve been thinking a lot about it lately.  I’ve been praying about how to send off my three kiddos well.

Within the next two weeks, I am moving my son back to Auburn for his sophomore year in college and my twin daughters to Union University for their freshman year.  I am so excited for them.  I am incredibly proud of them.

I’m excited about what the future holds for them.  I’m excited about the opportunity they will have to spread their wings and have their own “home away from home”.  I’m excited about opportunities they will have to make lasting and wonderful relationships.  I get excited to watch them think, ponder and dream about their future.

I am proud of their desire to learn more, become more, reach out more.  I am proud of the way they are handling their emotions (albeit difficult to watch).  I am proud of the way they are stumbling and struggling.

As a momma, my job is to send them off well.  I need to pray, encourage, support, counsel and scoot them out of the nest gently.  I need to NOT send them mixed messages. (Trust me.. jokingly, I started trying to bribe my youngest two to stay home… and realized how bad it was for them.  I stopped.  Thanks UU! )  I need to make sure they understand that mom and dad are going to be just fine.

More than fine.  We are going to be wonderful. 

Mom is going to cry and be sad.  THAT IS NORMAL.  There is no guilt in crying and grieving over a season of parenting that changes.  After being a hands on mom for over 20 years , it’s hard to change roles but it’s not bad.  It’s surreal, it’s exhilirating, it’s daunting, it’s sad but it is really, really good.  You know why?

Because we have completed the job set before us.  I’m standing firm on the promises that He has given me.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

– Proverbs 22:6 ESV

We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. – Psalm 78:4 ESV

For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him. – Genesis 18:19 ESV

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

–  2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV

God has blessed me with three very different and amazing children to raise and after all these years, I am blessed to watch them fly.

How do you let go and send off well?  I’d love to hear your encouragement!