Motherhood.
One of the most wonderful, challenging, and rewarding experiences of life.
I was not prepared for the joys my sons would bring me. However, there were many experiences that were difficult for me, and I was not prepared for those either. And each stage of development brings a new degree of separation.
I've had a hard time letting them go.
I have not dealt well with my feelings. I know that I am holding on too tightly, and that this has become a spiritual battle for me.
God, I know You have something to say to me.
He led me to the word – abandon.
There are many definitions of the word abandon that include negative ideas of desertion. But there are other connotations that totally capture the idea of what God wants me to understand.
To enthusiastically, exuberantly give up the control of another – to give oneself over unrestrainedly.
Here at last is the message God has for me.
He is seeking the attitude behind the action.
My unwillingness to give up my sons is motivated by fear. I am afraid something will happen to them.
Bad influences, terrible mistakes, painful experiences, heartache, illness, even death lurks out there in the real world.
How can I relinquish or surrender my sons to those things?
But God, in His loving kindness, opened my mind to a wonderful truth.
God is not asking me to let go of my sons to the world. What He wants is for me to release them into His care, to be watched over by His hand, to be let loose to accomplish His purposes in their lives.
He does not want me to fear the world, but to trust Him.
He wants me to trust His perfect love for my sons – the love that died on a cross for them – the love that rose again to give them eternal life.
He wants me to abandon them to Him with joy.
The Creator of Life, and the Giver of Eternal Life will watch over my sons with infinite more care than I am capable of doing.
This is the attitude He is seeking.
Total abandonment with no restraint or fear – abandonment with enthusiasm and exuberance with joy.
The reward?
Peace that passes human understanding from the Author of all blessings.
Lord, help me do this – completely.
Let me be like Hannah, the mother of Samuel, and Jochebed, the mother of Moses. Both released their sons to uncertain futures, but rested blessedly assured as to WHO held that future.
And look what God accomplished!
Oh Lord, make me able to pray, "Therefore I have given him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is given to the Lord."
AMEN!
Do you have trouble letting go of your children?
BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"
Hi Sharon -
ReplyDeleteI can somewhat relate to your motherly challenges. Yes, we often desire to unreasonably hold on when we should trust GOD.
We sometimes designate ourselves as "Holy Spirit, Jr." The reality is that our Lord doesn't have any Holy Spirit, Jr. positions nor does He need any. What we need to do is to pack up our faux positions and get out of GOD'S way. Easy to say...
Prayer: Lord, please help us to stay in our lanes and to get out of Yours. You are the Driver, the Navigator, the GPS, and the transmission. Only You know how to guide us so that we won't veer off, and end up in ditches.
Help us, please Lord, to ride WHOLLY with You. You never get lost - without obedience to You, we certainly do...
Thank You, Lord - Amen
You made a very important distinction in this post..."God is not asking me to let go of my sons to the world. What He wants is for me to release them into His care' As a parent,it feels like we are just letting go, but in reality, through faith we are letting them go to Someone much bigger and more capable and allowing our kids to experience life as God wants them too. And our prayers follow them...great post!
ReplyDeleteOH Sharon,
ReplyDeleteI so understand where you are coming from. I am so stressed at the moment, not from empty nest but rather feeling too depended on, but it seems there is no happy medium sometimes, lonely or stressed, seems to be the choice. I must ask more for the Lord's help, but it has been difficult the last few days to find the opportunity to do it. We must keep reminding each other, WE ARE on the victory side and Praise Jesus for securing that victory for us.
God Bless - Nita.
LOL about having trouble letting go of their children, YEP COUNT ME IN THAT GROUP! But I have slowly learned (hard long lesson to learn) that like you said, God does know them so much more than me and knows what they need so much more than me. I have let go and let God so to speak though there are those moments.....But I remember what God has brought him through (son) and his provision and protection continues to amaze me so I'll keep trusting him!! (((Sharon))) It is hard. I know exactly what you speak of!!!!!
ReplyDeletebetty
Just lost what I wrote - errr. I am in your club too. I know God will take care of them and do a great job - of that I am sure. I just sometimes think that he might use some help!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter still lives here which it very hard - esp. with her son living here - how much to get involved is always an issue here.
My son has moved away and married - and I really want to give advice there - but I don't.
Love,
sandie
Yes, I do. Just thinking of my youngest getting
ReplyDeletemarried in August brings a tear to my eyes. But
the Lord will take care of both of my sons all
the days they dwell on this earth. This is know
and am comforted by.As always, Sharon, I leave
feeling full and encouraged.
Love,
Sandy
I LOVE this!! I had the worst headache for the past two days so I was avoiding the computer screen yesterday. Why oh WHY didn't I just come here for a quick look.
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly my struggle with the girls, especially #1 as she graduates. I have tried to study the concept of binding Isaac. I'm not saying that I'm where I'm supposed to be yet.
This was wonderful. I'm going to copy down that definition. You blessed me this evening, Sharon.
You always do. I just felt the need to say it aloud.
Sandra - What choice words you have offered! I just love the imagery you use! Yes, God certainly does not need a Holy Spirit, Jr! That made me smile - and it's so true. How often I try to wrest control from Him - just a little bit - but it's still not up to me! Yes, Sandra - He's the only One who knows how to drive. Oh Lord, get me out of Your way!
ReplyDeleteAnita - Oh, thanks, Anita. You know, truth be told - I talk a big talk, but it's so hard really living this way. Yes, letting go of my sons, even to the Lord, still feels like letting go - and it's so hard. (I've often said, "I'm no Abraham!") But, I am utterly convinced of God's love for them, and so it's a lesson in trust that I'm learning.
Nita - Oh, I totally get what you're saying. Nita, I'll be praying for your strength, and for a relief from the stress you're feeling. He hears your heart - even when we barely have time to speak to Him, we can let our hearts talk to Him. And I know you do that. I will keep reminding you, as you so often remind me, we are on the winning side - and our victory is sure and secure in Him!
Betty - I knew you'd understand. It is SO very hard. I'd like to think that I've learned this lesson - I haven't. But I do think that I'm learning. God really does love these boys of mine, and He will work His purposes out in their lives. Sometimes, all I can do is pray for them - and that, in reality, is the most powerful thing I can do!
Sandie - That's got to be very challenging - that very fine line between helping and interfering. A delicate situation, to say the least. My boys live together - and yet, I am always tempted to meddle. (Did you see Sandra's comment about being a Holy Spirit, Jr??) I'm asking God for the grace to leave them alone (most of the time), and the wisdom to help out when they really need it!
Sandy - I am comforted by that, too. God knows. He knows what it was like to let go of His child. But He had a great purpose in that. So, He will work a great purpose in our children, if we let Him. Sometimes I just ask God to give me the strength and courage to let Him do what He needs to do in my sons' life. (Congrats on the upcoming wedding - but, sniff, sniff, too!)
Debbie - Oh, dear friend. Thank you. You know how hard it is for me to let go - especially when "scary" things loom on the horizon. God knows best - of that I'm sure - but it just doesn't guarantee a smooth life for my boys - and that's the hard part. I know that someone (can't remember who it is right now - senior moment) wrote a wonderful book about "laying your Isaac down." I'm trying - and I believe God is trying to stretch me in this area. And I can see His work in my sons' life - and that is a very encouraging thing.
Wonderful input today! Thanks for surrounding me with listening ears, and strong shoulders to lean on!
GOD BLESS!