Created to Leave

This past weekend, I traveled a couple hours to a wedding. I enjoyed witnessing the sacred union, seeing my extended family, and celebrating with food, music, and dancing. Tears filled my eyes and started spilling down my cheeks as I watched the mother-son and father-daughter dances. Marriage is such a beautiful new beginning, but with every new beginning comes an end. The bride and groom were leaving their family units to begin their own family. As my tears fell, I couldn't help but think of my sons and imagine someday when I would dance with them on their wedding day.

Yesterday, as I sat in church beside my ten-year old son, I affectionately patted his leg. Immediately he grabbed my arm , and he held me close pretty much the entire service. I cherished the moments. I'm the most important woman in his life now. He comes to me to snuggle during a movie. I mend all his cuts and bruises. He tells me all his fascinating stories and dreams. I give him instruction and advice. We read God's Word together. I am pouring everything in me to form him into the man God wants him to be. I am preparing him to leave.

One of the biggest problems I see over and over in marriages is the interference of parents. I have listened to the frustrations and hurts of so many friends. They feel so pulled trying to be all they can be for both sides of their families, and it is so wearisome. I've learned throughout the years that the biggest gift you can give your adult children is freedom. Freedom to be who they were created to be. Freedom to go where they are called to go. Freedom to try new things. Freedom to raise a family the way God has planned for them. Freedom to make their own decisions. Freedom to leave.

So, as I sat there yesterday, glued to my little guy, I savored it. Eventually, my hand will be replaced by another. Mamas, I know the days are hard with young children. I have cleaned up so much poop, puke, and mud till I've vomitted myself. I've answered so many questions that I've locked myself in my bathroom just to have a moment to breathe. I've disciplined my children with a broken heart time and time again. Being a mother is absolutely exhausting. But we only have one chance. One chance to mold them into everything God has created them to be. Relish the moments, good and bad. Cling to those little dirty hands. Take time to listen to all their stories. Someday they will leave, and it is our job to let them.