How to Embrace the Steps of Letting Go

“You start kindergarten next week. What will I do Meghan? I just might cry,” I told her as we snuggled and I stared into those deep sea blue eyes.

She cupped my face in her sticky little hands and told me she would miss me too because “I like being with my mama.”

Then her big vibrant grin said with a little spunk, “Yeah, you’re gonna miss me. Just like that song.”

“What song?”

And then a little laughter joined the tenderness of the moment as she began to sing the Anna Kendrick song.

When I’m gone, when I’m gone

You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone

You’re gonna miss me by my walk

You’re gonna miss me by my talk

You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone

 

Oh, my! How true those words are! Her talk. Boy, can she talk. The endless observations and questions demanding immediate attention (especially while driving). The silence in the car just might seem eerie. The inability to have a complete thought without answering  “what” to an attention seeking  “Mom..Mom…Mom…” I might just wish it all back.

And her walk. She loves to hold my hand. Even if it’s just a short distance, she grabs my hand while I do a quick transfer of items, fumbling not to drop anything.

You’re gonna miss me by my hair, you’re gonna miss me everywhere… 

She’s a hair twirler. That’s her “thing.” She always drank her bottle and twirled her hair. Maille played with her belly button. Brennan sucked his blanket. Madeline squeezed her blanket. And Meghan, she still twirls her hair around her finger.

Parenting involves steps of letting go. Click To Tweet

Each step comes gradually until you send them out into the world to become independent adults.

 

How to Embrace the Steps of Letting Go

 Hannah was barren and desperately longed for a child. She made a vow that if God took her out of her misery and gave her a son, she would give him to the Lord for service. God gave her Samuel and Hannah kept her vow. As soon as he was weaned from nursing (probably around 3) she took him to the tabernacle to be raised by Eli.

I have prayed the same anguished prayers of a barren woman yearning to be a mother. After 6 years of infertility, my prayers were answered. How would I feel dropping off my long awaited first born child to be raised by someone else? I’m having mixed feelings about sending my youngest to Transitional Kindergarten!

My feelings range between Awe, this stage of my life is over mixed with Woo hoo I’m kid-free! Oh, the possibilities!

Hannah brought her child, young as he was, and told Eli,

I Samuel 1:27

I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.

What incredible faith! How was she able to let go? As I studied this passage I discovered her deep level of faith and trust in God.

We can follow Hannah’s example when we need to embrace a stage in parenting that requires letting go. Click To Tweet

When she brought Samuel to Eli, I would expect the Bible to say she reacted like most teary-eyed moms who drop their children off to kindergarten or send them off to college. Maybe we’d see a hint of the sadness we saw before?

Rejoice in God

But guess what she did? She rejoiced! Sure, she may have had tears but she rejoiced!

My heart rejoices in the Lord.

She praised God in a poetic prayer thanking God for all he had done.

What can you rejoice in? I’m rejoicing that my daughter got into a Charter school with a long waiting list. She’s getting a great education and has excellent teachers. 

Trust in God’s Sovereignty

Hannah praised God for his sovereignty. She had confidence that God had ultimate control over her life.

Her foundation was based on the solid rock of God.

There is no Rock like our God. v2

For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; on them he has set the world. He will guard the feet of his faithful servants. v 8-9

How can you trust in God’s sovereignty? Did your child just receive their driver’s license? Are they struggling with friends at school? When fear and worry take over your thoughts, start praising God for His sovereignty.

  Think Positively

Since Hannah trusted God she was able to think positively about her future. I’m sure she looked forward to her visits with Samuel.

Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him. 1 Samuel 2:19

God blessed Hannah with five more children!

Hannah knew how to embrace the moment and find joy.

How can you think positively about your future?  Maybe you’ll be an empty nester soon. Is there a new hobby you’re excited to pursue? 

I love comments! Are you in a stage of letting go? How have you embraced it? What are you learning?

 

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