Friday, August 22, 2008

Letting Go....Again

It’s the most difficult time of the year for me, the end of August. It’s the time when students head back to school. Seniors from youth group are moving on to college and they are saying their “good-bye”s.

But for the 10th year in a row, I am saying “good-bye” to one of my own. Zach was home for about 3 weeks and it has been a joy to have him here. I love having him around – having his friends around – hearing him play his music at a wedding and at a coffee house. He has been working part-time and has been busy finalizing the details of his CD and upcoming recital. I try to be here most of the time when I know that he’ll be home. The time just goes by too quickly.

In the earlier years I would always be wondering if they were ready. Did we talk about money issues, friends, churches, studies…..?
This morning I find myself wondering if there are any last truths that I should be sharing, any words of wisdom that I should tell him, anything that God has laid on my heart for his life?

This morning it was Psalm 37:4, 23-24
“Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.

If the LORD delights in a man’s way, He makes his steps firm;
Though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with His hand.”


I tearfully read theses verses to Zach as he was about ready to head out.

You see, if we “delight” – find joy- in Him, then our ways WILL delight the Lord because we will be seeking to please Him in all that we do.


I notice that there are no extra shoes in the entry, no guitars at the bottom of the stairs, no books lying around. The only evidence that he was here is his name tag from work on our bench.
Oh, and a dirty bathroom.

I know that I will see him next week when we head to Grand Rapids for his Sr. Recital for his Contemporary Christian Music Major. He will be playing his own music and it will be more like a concert than recital. So, I’m excited to be there along with his grandparents and Dale’s two sisters.

I remind myself that he loves God, that he is where he feels God wants him to be, that he is developing the talents that God has given him.

But, the letting go....is still hard.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

hi there brenda...i just wanted to let you know how much i appreciate checking out your blog and seeing what God is doing in your heart an life. thanks for being so real and for sharing your heart with us. i was talking with someone today and they said from the moment your child is born you have to start letting them go. i feel like i am in that place already and mayne is only 3 weeks. as i begin to worry about different things i have to begin giving them to the our God who loves her far more than i ever could. thanks for sharing the verses from ps. they were an encouragement to me as i am sure they were to zach. (cathy coates)

Nikki said...

I'm praying for you this week, Brenda. I'm so grateful for those God has placed in my life who walk just a bit ahead of me and model what it means to trust God through the changing seasons. I appreciate you, friend!

I've given you a blog award---check out my blog for details!

Anonymous said...

So great to read your thoughts and musings...I appreciate your reminders as you continually point to Jesus. -laura hoffert