Let Go? Never.
This past Sunday I enjoyed what I cherish every Sunday morning, helping in a Sunday School class whose only two pupils are Clara and Wesley, two of our grandchildren. My friend Brenda, who is the teacher, brought materials for Clara to make a book of things for which she is thankful. Wesley is old enough to pat the Bible, play with the crayons, and listen to the songs, but since he was a year old last September, he wasn’t interested in making a book.
Clara thought it was great fun. She turned page after page to find pictures in the magazines Brenda brought. Among the objects she found were food, houses, trees, leaves, and “a nice, warm fire” (that’s close to a quote). As Clara flipped pages, Brenda and I kept busy cutting them out.
In the process, I noticed an article that made me cringe. I stopped cutting long enough to copy it down on my church bulletin: “Lessons of the Fall: When your child goes off to school, you have to learn to let go.”
I well remember how I felt when John our oldest was three or four years old. I signed him up for preschool twice and I couldn’t “let go” either time. I just couldn’t do it. I remember thinking: “He’s going to have to be in school for twelve years. I’m going to keep him home and teach him my values as long as I can.” I’m thankful that I learned along the way that he didn’t have to be “in school” for twelve years after all.
Our children are married. Each of them has children. We drive four hours to see one daughter and eight hours to see our son. We don’t hover over either of them or our daughter who lives here in Gainesboro, but we have never let go. We don’t have any intentions to let go, not ever.
This not letting go is something we learn from our heavenly Father. He doesn’t even let a sparrow fall to the ground without noticing, much less one of His children.
But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me,
And the Lord has forgotten me.”
“Can a woman forget her nursing child
And have no compassion on the son of her womb?
Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.
Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands.”
Isaiah 49:14-16a
It is such a wonderful thing, your encouragement. We are grieving over the loss of my father in-law. Your words are well spoken. I am trying very diligently to honor and love and be a blessing I this place. THANK YOU!
I’m so sorry for your loss, Jeanette. Thank you for your sweet words.
Amen!
No, never!