Loosening the Apron Strings

Loosening of the Apron Strings

It will soon be happening.  Our oldest child will soon be striking off on her own to make her way at college over three hours away from home.  This will be hard.

1 Corinthians 13:11 (KJV)

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

The words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:11 come to mind here.  She has grown up.  She no longer needs Gindy to take care of her.  She has to stand on her own two feet.  There will be times when she forgets to call on Father’s Day or my birthday. 

There will be Thanksgivings she cannot make it home because she has to spend the day with his family.  There will be missed Christmases and such.  It is all a part of life. We cannot hold onto them forever.  We have to let them grow up.

Genesis Chapter 2 verse 24 is also called to mind. 

Genesis 2:24

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

From the very beginning, we are told that there will be a time when our little boys grow up and marry and that the husband and wife form a brand new family unit. 

This is the time for mom and dad to be left in the shadows while the children start a new life.  It is sad and sweet, but we have to learn to let go. I do not want to, but I have to.

How did we get here?  Why is it that things that seemed so natural when I started dating Suzanne and then married her seem so difficult when our children face the same threshold of life?  Graduation from high school for me was so anti-climactic.

 I am told that when I moved off to college my father sat on the back porch and cried.  I understand now.  What to me seemed like a small step to him was a very big, heart-wrenching step.  But still, he had to let go.

Father God,

We come to You in Your Son Jesus’ name and ask that You show us the path we are to take.  We ask You to help us help our children grow up and leave the nest.  We ask that You bless those we love.  We pray to You for Your protection of our dear loved ones.

Please help us to understand how to let go even though it breaks our hearts to do so.

Please be with those we love.

In Christ’s name, we pray.

Amen

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