They come to us helpless, weak and utterly dependent. Their very survival is our responsibility. Training them to be God-loving, humanity-loving people is our responsibility as well, and it's a very sobering, life-consuming, all-encompassing parental mission.
For 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, month in, year out, we give our all to raising these little gifts of God; and often we feel as though we're lurching around in the dark hoping that we're going the right direction! We have golden successes and abysmal failures, but every molecule of our being and every beat of our heart goes into raising our children. 
And then we have to let go. As completely as we welcomed them, we must completely let them go. Having experienced both ends of that stick, I can tell you which is harder and it isn't welcoming that helpless babe into your arms; it's sending that young man or woman out into the world. Far harder. 
Love is a paradox. It embraces and it sets free. 
These things have been on my mind a lot in the last few months. 
A son is deploying again. It will be the 2nd deployment in less than a year and he has to bid adieu to the young son who was born while he was away the first time. My heart breaks for him and his little family.
A daughter has faced dire financial challenges far from home and far from our ability to help. Major life decisions await her as she works hard to find her place. 
Another daughter lives across the ocean with two young sons and a new baby daughter. Her husband is deployed, too, serving those who serve. We want badly to assist and support in person, but we can't.
Another son has chosen to serve his country, too, and will be deploying before the spring is out. He will be gone for a year to a land filled with challenges and difficulties, and we won't be able to help him there.
"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!" ~ Psalm 127:3-5
"And as for me, this is my covenant with them," says the Lord: "My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of yours children't offspring," says the Lord, "from this time forth and forevermore." ~ Isaiah 59:21
Children are a gift from God. It is God's covenant that is with them; His Spirit that is upon them; His Word that will never depart from them forevermore. Therefore it is possible to let them go, for they only go with God.
Vaya con Dios, mis ninos.
Love is a paradox. It embraces and it sets free. 
These things have been on my mind a lot in the last few months. 
A son is deploying again. It will be the 2nd deployment in less than a year and he has to bid adieu to the young son who was born while he was away the first time. My heart breaks for him and his little family.
A daughter has faced dire financial challenges far from home and far from our ability to help. Major life decisions await her as she works hard to find her place. 
Another daughter lives across the ocean with two young sons and a new baby daughter. Her husband is deployed, too, serving those who serve. We want badly to assist and support in person, but we can't.
Another son has chosen to serve his country, too, and will be deploying before the spring is out. He will be gone for a year to a land filled with challenges and difficulties, and we won't be able to help him there.
"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!" ~ Psalm 127:3-5
"And as for me, this is my covenant with them," says the Lord: "My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of yours children't offspring," says the Lord, "from this time forth and forevermore." ~ Isaiah 59:21
Children are a gift from God. It is God's covenant that is with them; His Spirit that is upon them; His Word that will never depart from them forevermore. Therefore it is possible to let them go, for they only go with God.
Vaya con Dios, mis ninos.
5 comments:
I love this post! I made it through our oldest son's deployment for a year in Iraq. He came home with a beautiful woman he married a few months later. I learned so much about faith and trust during that year. Chances are good that he'll have to go again. I'm praying he won't. Selfish, I know, but there it is. I feel for your son who has the little baby he has to leave behind. That has to be heart-wrenching.
I'm trying to learn the fine art of setting my nestlings free, and you're right. It's much easier to welcome them into this world than to send them out.
Wow. Great shots. You make good peeps. Much love to everyone.
Beautiful pictures and loving words make a significant post. It is so hard to bear Eric leaving again. My heart aches for Kelly and Eric in ways I can't express. Thanks for posting about your wonderful and brave family. They didn't get that way on their own. You and John have done a great job. Love & Blessings to you all.
Wow, lump in the throat and tears in my eyes! This is beautiful and expresses my heart also. My last one is leaving soon, and you are right, IT IS SOOOOO HARD!
You and John did well! and your children are wonderful! They do rise up and call you blessed.
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