Hey Friends –
With the start of a fresh school year, I’ve been thinking and praying for moms going through seasons of transition.
Whether it’s the start of kindergarten, senior year, college — or somewhere in between — these transitions can be hard/sad/painful/difficult.
Trust me — I’ve been there.
When my son Jake started college in 2012, I could barely function. It was bad.
Truth be told: one day my Sarah found me in a heap on my bathroom floor bawling my eyes out. My sweetie said, “Mom, I’m sorry you are sad. Do you want me to get your Bible for you?”
My response, “Sarah, my Bible? No. I need Jesus Himself right now.”
My compassionate little girl put her hand on my tear-filled cheek and prayed for me and asked Jesus to come help me. Precious.
Whereas this year the transition was much easier (my kids are now 5th grade, 6th grade, 7th grade, and junior in college) — my heart goes out to anyone and everyone going through hard seasons.
Here’s a post I wrote in the midst of my pain.
May it encourage you today, friend. Please know you are not alone.
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Y’all know I’ve been having a hard time adjusting to my firstborn Jake leaving home to live with his dad & step-mom while he attends Aquinas College.
I should clarify – by hard time I mean major bouts of bawling my eyes out, melt downs on my bathroom floor, puddles of tears at night when I realize Jake’s not coming home and I need to go ahead and turn the lights off. That kind of hard time. :/
I am happy to report it’s been almost a full week since I’ve experienced a meltdown.
Woo Hoo for progress!
I’ll confess I did almost lose it when I went to set the table with 6 plates in my hand, and realized we only have 5 at our table now.
Ugh.
It was painfully hard to walk back to my cupboard and put that lone 6th plate away.
Sometimes letting go just plain stinks.
However, today I have fresh hope! I’m committing to letting go and going forward!
One of my suggestions to Jake as we embrace a new season was to meet for breakfast at his favorite local place – Wolfgangs. The owner’s wife also happens to be one of my super good friends. (She held my hand as I gave birth to Jake 18 years ago). Wolfgang’s is a special place with many warm memories for us both.
Jokingly I said to Jake, “We could have ‘Wednesday’s at Wolfgang’s’ – my treat!”
Would you believe that when Jake received his schedule he has Wednesday’s off?! Yay!
Thankfully he also has hockey practice at 7 AM every morning (so he’s out of bed early), and was more than willing to have breakfast with his mom at Wolfgang’s right after practice today.
The only thing he wasn’t happy about was “marking the moment” with my camera. LOL!
Jake let me sneak in one picture, but wasn’t going for my idea of a redo because of the shadow. Oh well…I’ll still treasure it always.
As I was driving home from Wolfgang’s, I was struck by my need to let go of what we’ve experienced in the past so I could fully embrace and move forward towards new opportunities.
If I keep hanging on and lamenting about “what used to be,” how can I keep my eyes, ears, and heart open to what God wants to do during this new season?
- I need to let go of Jake being under our roof – but going forward, I treasure the thought of having him to myself over breakfast for a full hour without any distractions every Wednesday.
- I need to let go of my desire to have Jake safe here “in my nest,” and instead look forward to watching how God grows him – spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
- I need to let go of control, and instead trust God as Jake makes decisions, new friendships, and begins a fresh season as a college student.
Sometimes letting go just plain stinks…but until I stop looking back, I cannot move forward.
I’ve been thinking of other ways I wrestle with hanging on to the old rather than embracing the new….
I’ve declared it’s time to …..
- Let go of old, self defeating “tapes” & instead go forward confidently in courage and Truth
- Let go of how our family did things last year & prayerfully embrace new traditions and opportunities, as necessary
- Let go of how much I loved being the mom of a high schooler (& being a house where lots of kids hung out) and instead get an Aquinas College cow bell and get ready for some hockey! WOO HOO! (AQ hockey schedule here)
Now is it going to be easy? Of course not.
Is it possible I have more meltdowns? You betcha.
But do I sense God is wanting to grow not only Jake during this season, but this mama bird as well?! Sure do.
Sometimes growing pains are uncomfortable…but so worth the time, effort, prayers and tears.
How about you, friend? As we head into a new Fall season, are there habits, attitudes, actions or beliefs that you need to let go? Is it time to let go of controlling that relationship? Those self-defeating thoughts and behaviors? The fear that is holding you back?
Is it time to let go??
God can’t put anything in hands that are already full. – Chuck Swindoll
I’d love for you to share with us! How have you’ve exerienced growing pains during changes and transitions? What has God has taught you through them? Is there something you need to let go off?
Aren’t you so glad we don’t have to journey alone?
Thanks for stopping by *She Sparkles*! I thank God for you, my dear bloggy friends!Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Sweet Blessings –
I once realized that everything we teach our kids- from learning how to eat with utensils to cleaning up after themselves to tying shoes…it’s all to teach them how to be without us. To be independent. Suddenly, I want to undo all my teaching…but that’s just my selfish mom-heart talking. I know God has big plans for our kids- and I’m trying to be obedient in shepherding their hearts! (But I can only imagine how I’m going to react when my first one moves out!!!).
Cindy, thank you for this post. It was perfect timing as my daughter left for her first year of college 11 days ago. She called tonight and had had a hard day – I am doing my best to trust the Lord. I prayed for her before we hung up. I know the Lord has her in the palm of His hand, but it’s still SO hard!
Cindy, thanks for sharing practically how you’re working to “let go”. So hard to do and with our children especially. I’m not at the empty nest part of letting go yet but I know it will be hard for me. You balance it well – not ignoring the struggle but working through it. Love you my friend.