Let Go and Let God

Seventeen years ago, God blessed me with a beautiful little boy.  Baby soft golden curls encircled bright shining eyes and his little laugh and sense of adventure were only the beginning of the depth of his independence.

As a single mum for the first three years of his life, I poured everything I had into this little person and delighted in the hope for his future.

In spite of my choices, God blessed me again with a wonderful husband who took on this ‘instant family’ and helped me raise our little boy (and all of our subsequent children) for the Lord.

Tomorrow morning, we are putting our little boy on an airplane and sending him off to university.  He is joining the military so when he graduates, he won’t be coming home to me but will be a man with a career and plans of his own. 

Tomorrow morning, I have to let go and let God.

When we attended our son’s Joining Ceremony, the Commodore identified the mothers in the crowd and then he said, “Thank you for trusting me with your sons.  You may cry now.”  I didn’t cry that day.  My heart was swollen with pride for this little boy who was so swiftly becoming a man.

When I think of Hannah taking wee Samuel to the Temple and giving him into Eli’s care I am overcome with compassion for her.  My baby was unexpected – hers was prayed and longed for.  I had 17 years to raise my son – she probably had around five.  I have email and Skype – Hannah visited Samuel once a year.

The only thing that Hannah and I really have in common is that we love our sons and that we are trusting them into God’s care.

Samuel faced many challenges living at the Temple.  Eli’s sons were disobedient and lived solely for their own pleasure making no room for God in their lives.  Our son is going into an environment that can be very challenging for a Christian and he will likely encounter many of the same things that Samuel did. 

Man’s rebellion against God has not changed.  The encouraging thing is that neither has God’s love for man.

In letting go of our son tomorrow, we are trusting God to do an awesome job in caring for him.  God’s hand has been on our son his whole life and so we should have no doubts that He will continue to bless him and guide him.

One of my favourite verses of Scripture is

Philippians 1:6
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

God began a good work in our son before he was even born.  It was that pregnancy that brought me to my knees before the throne of grace.  Loving our son helped me to love the Lord more.  I can turst God to carry out his work until the day of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I will likely take advantage of the Commodore’s permission to cry – but that’s ok I know that God loves me too and will comfort me at the same time that He is taking care of our son.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I can let go and let God because I know that He is faithful and that He works all things together for good for those who love Him.  Romans 8:28