the link

With summer coming to a close, I have seen more posts on facebook of parents being either so glad school is starting up again or so sad.  I had a friend post that she wasn't ready to let her daughter go yet. Assuming said daughter has now graduated from high school and is now off to University and is stepping into a new chapter of her life.  I, myself am getting ready to watch my oldest son step into a new phase. Kindergarten.  Mixed emotions of happiness and anxiety of letting someone else teach and watch over the safety of my son envelope me.  I am comforted by the choice of school we have made and look forward to meeting his teacher and the fact that he is so excited to make new friends and learn new things. 

I think of how he's changing and growing and how fast time has gone.  I can imagine my friends as they prepare to let go and watch as their children move out of their house and go off to University or a new career.  Hoping that they have taught them well, that they are responsible enough to make good choices, having to step back and let them go.  Praying they will keep in touch, call often and just let them know how their day is going. 

My sister in law called me from California and told me how she happened to drive by the school her son attends and saw him playing in the field with a group of friends and how it made her happy. She waved and continued on her way.  I don't recall if he saw her or not but it made me smile to think that she was happy just to see him happy.  I imagine myself in days and years to come driving by my son's school and seeing him play outside with a group of friends.  I'm sure I'll want to just pull over and watch. Day dream about him running over and saying hi or giving me a quick hug. That of course would not likely happen as it just wouldn't "be cool" I'm sure but one can dream. Right? lol. 

I pray as my boys grow that they will honor themselves and  us as parents.  That we will "raise them up in the way they should go".  That they will always come to us whenever they need or want to.  Is that not the desire and prayer of every parent?  Most anyway?  It got me thinking... God, as our heavenly Father. Isn't that all He really wants? The Creator of the Universe. The Creator of you and I. He knows us better than we know ourselves.  He just wants us to stay in touch. Honor ourselves, remember who we are. Honor Him in all we do. Honor our parents. He wants us to get to know Him and know that though we think we are mature and on our own, He is always there, ready to talk when ever we need or want.  He's not a "helicopter parent" hovering over us waiting to pull us out of whatever situation we put ourselves in that is potentially dangerous.  He steps back and lets us go because that's what we seem to want. Waiting for us to remember He's there, that He loves us and just wants the best for us. 

This is why I awoke so happy today.  Thank you God for all I have. For all you've blessed me with. Thank You for loving me and always being there. Fill me with your love so I may pour it out onto my family. May we always draw close to you.