One of the most difficult things for a mother to do is let go of her children. In nature most adult birds and animals force their children out of the home as soon as they can fend for themselves, but as human parents we find ourselves holding on from dear life. What is it about us that compels us to hold on even when it is to the detriment of our children?
When I was raising my first three children, I always had in the back of my mind, when they grew into adults, they would be free and equipped to make their own decisions. I wanted them to live their own lives not mine, yet when my oldest son was ready to stride out on his own, even though I knew it was the best thing for him, I still tried to keep him under my wing. I asked him jokingly to stay home, while deep down I really did want him to stay home. The problem was, who I was asking to stay was my little boy and it was a young man who was leaving. If he had stayed I wouldn’t have really gotten what I wanted and we would have become miserable.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, represents all we should aspire to be as parents. It must have been very difficult for Mary to watch her son begin his missionary journey and acknowledge not everyone was receptive to his message. She had to stand by and watch as Jesus was tortured, beaten and finally crucified. I’m pretty sure she did not stand quietly and let this happen, but she did let it happen. As parents we are not Mary and our children are not Jesus and not likely to be crucified as Jesus was, but like Mary we must let our children to out into the world and live the lives God meant them to live, even if we don’t agree with their decisions. For they are their choices.
My son has moved on with his life. I haven’t always agreed with or approved of his choices, but like Mary I have learned. I state my feelings and then let him go. He is still the son I raised and although I wouldn’t make the same choice, his choices are based on the person I raised him to be. They are out of my hands, for I have placed them in God’s hands. Now, if I can do that with my other three children, I will be truly blessed.
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