Letting Kids Go

From the first day of kindergarten...

To the first day of college...

We are pushed into winding up our kids and letting them go. Little by little, we give up control of every detail of their lives until we find ourselves with no control over them at all. Excitement and terror, relief, and a whole new way to worry—this launching business is not for the faint of heart.

Love holds so much vulnerability. We are anxious for them; we are concerned for ourselves. Will they get hurt? Will they embarrass us? If we are honest, we may sometimes not trust them, the world, or God. Plus, we just plain old miss them, especially if a career decision takes us further away from their new life than planned.

Too often, we shrug and say, “all I can do is pray,” but really, the best thing we can do is pray! Pray for their walk with Jesus. Pray for their safety. Pray for their choices. Pray for their future spouses and careers, and children. Pray for God to hold you and them close. And pray for God to remove any worry you are feeling over your children or parenting ability.

Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God.

Philippians 4:6 (CEV)

Worry may be a natural part of parenting, but God cares for you—and your children—in supernatural ways. Remember how he loves them even more than you do. Watch in awe as he guides them in ways you never could.

PRAY

Abba, thank you for loving my children. Help me to trust you with their lives. Take my worry away and help me replace it with gratitude. Amen.

TIME TO TALK

Conversation starter for kids: Provides you with questions and prompts to facilitate a time of applicable discussion with children to lead them towards knowing God and His Word more deeply.

Question(s): When you were lonely before, in what ways have you felt God is with you?

Apply: No matter their age, start rituals for when you have to say goodbye. Pray with them, hide encouraging notes or a funny practical-joke item like a plastic cactus in their backpack, and create a handshake ritual. These connection points, silly as some may be, will keep you close even when you’re far away.

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help parents expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

Proverbs 22:6

Ephesians 3:19

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Tonia Gutting wrote this devotional for the Hero Squad Program of the American Bible Society. Hero Squad provides complimentary faith-based resources to strengthen and encourage Military families through God’s Word. For more information or to enroll your Military family, check out our website.www.myherosquad.org.