Parenting is like preaching the Gospel, your message cannot change, but your methods must.  I am learning as my children are now young men, that I am going further and further into a support role and less active, and that is okay!  Afterall, you raise your children to be the best they can be, give them a good foundation on the Word of God, and then you must let them fly! 

After spending the weekend in Nashville, moving Brent into his first apartment, I couldn’t help remember the little guy who was always my sidekick as a little boy.  We had such a great time, laughing, playing and working hard.  I am very proud of the young man he has become, living on his own, buying his own groceries – and yes he cooks!  He makes best chili ever! Doing his own laundry, going to church on his own, finding a great church that will challenge him and not pet sin, mentoring younger people, etc.  Wow.  What a guy.  Not to mention he had lost over 50 pounds and has a strict work out regimine that he is dedicated to.

Then of course, Eric is busy with his first post-college job.  Having the time of his life, traveling the country, negotiating deals, meeting people, staying politically active and working toward his future goals.  I love hearing about his adventures, the different churches he attends, and I am so thankful that he knows the Truth and has a solid foundation as well.  He doesn’t even need me to move him anywhere this year.  I am so proud of his determination, his passion for God and for people, his love of life, I encourage his dreams and love that he stays accountable to the mentors that God has placed in his life.  What a guy.

I have come to learn that it is ok to let go.  Not easy, but ok.  If you raise your children in the way they should go, when they are old, they will not depart.  (old means having hair on the chin) Prov. 22:6.  I have a promise.  But I also have 2 wonderful, handsome, creative, honorable, sons who have character and who value a relationship with Jesus.  What more could a mother ask for?

God has given me 2 “God nods” in the last few months.  One with each of my boys.  With them being 8 hours away, it can be overwhelming at times if I look at the world around me.  Especially at times when I find myself in a difference of opinion with one of them.  I no longer have the final say.  However, I always pray for them each day and I always ask the Lord that whatever He gives me at church- their home church – through our pastor, that somehow they would receive it too.  Last Sunday, I had the lead on a song in worship.  After worship, a man came to me and told me that God showed him a vision of me – that I was like a bird when I was singing and I was gathering hearts under my wings so they could be healed – protecting them actually.  I said – have you seen my profile pic lately on fb?  He said no.   I said do you know that Eric gave me the nickname Mother Bird several years ago?  No again.  I thought that was neat.  But wait – God wasn’t done……I go over to get my phone to pull up this picture and show the man and I saw that I had a text from Eric.  It was a picture and said – look at the picture the preacher is using for his sermon today…….Mind you he was in Colorado – and I looked and it was the same picture as my profile pic!!!!!  At the same time God was using John to tell me his vision, Eric said he felt compelled to send me the picture.  GOD NOD. (see attached picture)

# 2 – A few months back, I was at lunch and worshiping God in my car.  The song – The Lord is With You Mighty Warrior came on.  I said – Lord, I am going to not just sing this, but I am going to declare this over my boys.  This was one of Brent’s favorite songs.  So I sang and declared and inserted their names as I went.  This was 1pm.  2 hours later, I checked fb and Brent’s status said simply “The Lord is With You Mighty Warrior” and it had been changed 2 hours before!  WOW!  At the same time I was declaring that, he changed his status.  Tell me God doesn’t know how to reach our children???????

I have also learned something else.  People make mistakes.  Kids are included in that people word!  LOL I mean, Imade mistakes – we all did and still do!  But that is how we learn.  You cannot prevent that.  You can share your experiences from your life, but ultimately, it is their decision.    Sometimes moms are afraid to let go because they are afraid they will no longer be needed.  I mean, when Brent left for college last year, I mourned motherhood. – I no longer was needed on a daily basis to perform in the mothering role after 22 years.  That was tough!  But I have learned, that they still need me.  And if I let them go and bless them to live their lives, they will still call and we still talk and we keep our relationship close.  By me stepping back, our times together and our conversations become more meaningful and grow each day.  This would never have happened had I “stayed in their business 24/7”.

So be encouraged today – wherever you are in your motherhood journey.  If you child is small – soak up every minute!!!!!!  Teens – they need you more than ever – they just won’t admit it!  haha.  If you have a son – take him out for ice cream – out to dinner and let him share his heart.  Tell him how proud you are of him and that he can do anything!  If you have a daughter – Dad would be the best one to do this – but if you are a single mom – do the same thing.  LISTEN and let them share whatever they are willing to share and don’t hop on the judgment wagon.  Sometimes they just want to share with a “safe” person while they work it out on their own.

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. 1 Sam 1:27

My boys – oh they will always be my “babies” but I am extremely proud to call them men and thankful that they have shown me that as I let go, we are still forever connected.