Tomorrow, my son turns eighteen. Yikes, I am the mother of an eighteen year old. He is a fine young man. He loves God, works full-time at our church and honors his heavenly Father as well as his earthly parents.
So, why so blue? Well, my baby isn’t a baby anymore, and I suppose he hasn’t been for some time, but there’s something about eighteen that says, “I have now entered the adult world.” I am very willing to be adviser and mentor and not the parent who is to be obeyed. He has earned my trust, and I know that he will make wise decisions, and that even when he makes a mistake, he will run to the High Tower.
But I do feel a little bit like I did when I got my divorce. If I’m not a stay at home mom, who am I? I have one year of home schooling left with my youngest, and then what? I look to the future with both trepidation and excitement. I will be available to do things I never would have had time to do before. And yet, there is a death. The death of a role. Thank goodness there are roles of a lifetime.
I am always a daughter. Even after my parents are gone, I am God’s daughter.
I am always a follower of Christ.
I am always His Princess, His bride.
However, everything else is subject to change. I may work somewhere for some time, but I could change jobs or careers. I will be married until the day that one of us passes to Glory, and then I will no longer be a wife.
I guess the moral of the story is that we must sow the majority of our lives into eternity, and never into temporary situations. Because if we put all of our eggs in one basket, many times there is a day when that basket is empty, or broken or exchanged for a different basket. Then what?
Jesus said,
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So, I guess I can see that as the time has come for the bulk of my attention will be given elsewhere, that I must choose to look at the future with excitement, knowing that God has a purpose for the rest of my days and it’s a good future. I feel like an actress who has just finished a very long run on Broadway, playing the same role for years. Who will I get to be next?
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Thanks for stopping by. Glad you liked the poem. Love your post as well.
Tough, isn’t it, when your kids are suddenly grown-ups? Still, they’ll always be your kiddos, not matter how old they are. This past year my daughter turned 50…ouch, that’s a shock. I’m sure she’s an imposter. How could I possibly have a daughter that old.
Thelma, you are too funny! I’m sure she must be freaked out about being 50 too! I know 40 was huge for me…
Hi there! Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving me such a lovely comment. This is a lovely post. Many years ago, a friend gave me a tiny sculpture of a tadpole made of pewter as a symbol of change, so that I would learn not to be afraid of it. I’m passing this tadpole on to you, may it inspire you to live life to the fullest and give you the strength to embrace change in whatever form it takes.
What a lovely gesture Isabelle! Thank you…I gladly receive the tadpole award! Thanks so much for your kind words.
I love this~”we must sow the majority of our lives into eternity, and never into temporary situations.” Thank you for the reminder. Timely. My oldest is turning 17 and my other 3 are fast coming up behind her. I keep trying to freeze them, but, alas, it never works. So I hang on for the ride and enjoy the moment of now.
PS~Thank you, too, for stopping by “my place”. 🙂
No, thanks for coming to mine!! I love your devotional blog. I truly have enjoyed every season that my children have been in, but that’s why this new era is so difficult because they will be entering a season without my daily observation. However, it is a good and healthy thing, and I’m excited for all of our futures.
Hi, just letting you know the button is on my blog now if you would like to check it out. Happy birthday to your son. It is definitely a milestone for you and him.
Thanks…I have a hard time with buttons…I’ll try, how good are you with that stuff, can you tell me what I’m doing wrong?
What problems are you having? I don’t use wordpress so I am not familiar with how you edit your html. I did a quick google search and found a few options that you might try. Here is how to add html according to the site I found
copy the html code box for their button and then choose ‘add a gadget w/html/java link’ and place that code in the pop up box, hit enter the button should appear in your sidebar
The html code is in the box under the button on my blog. The other alternative if this doesn’t work is to simply right click on the image download it to your computer and then upload it onto your site as a normal image. You could then add a link to the image. If these two don’t work then let me know in detail what happens when you try these two options then I might be able to help you more.
Thanks! You give very good lessons…:D This was an amazingly kind gesture on your part. Readers click the purple ribbon button to find out about the story of an amazing blogging friend of ours, and her recovery after her college age son tragically passed away…
Very hopeful and inspirational. Glad you’re excited about the next phase of God’s plan in your life! I really enjoy your devotions. Thank you so much.
~Carrie-Anne
http://twoweekworship.org/
You’re Welcome! I enjoy yours as well…
Lovely post. Our children do grow up, connecting with their families, their own adventures, and the little boy or little girl-is no more. I loved each moment as mother-caring for her young. The day came when I had to let go-its now an empty nest. I think back so many times-when they were young-and the many moments of caring for them. Now, as adults, I still care for them-and enjoy all their accomplishments-grandchildren now to watch them grow up and soon will leave the nest. It’s a natural cycle. Memories that will last a lifetime. God is good- “All the time”
What a nice different twist on God is good – “All the time”…Thanks for your lovely thoughts.
What a lovely way to look at a transition. We have opprotunities to play many roles in life. Though changes are unnerving and sometimes scary, when we remember God is always there we know we can handle the old and the new.
Many times He leads somewhere we never would have imagined. It’s really exciting in a way to see what path I will find myself on.
I wonder what it will be like when I get there. My son is only 3 so I have some time but you have the right attitude. Seek God’s will and you will always fill fullfilled! I am your newest follower from the finding new friends blog hop. I am one of the hosts! Stopping by to say hi! Hope to see ya on all my blogs 🙂
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All of us must have this attitude regardless of what our circumstances are…When our kids go to school, we go back to work…etc. etc.
Wow. 18. It goes fast, doesn’t it?
Happy “Birth” Day to you, too.
Thanks! I can’t believe I’m the mother of an eighteen year old. Time flies and seems like it takes for ever all at the same time.
Our children always need us–in some form or another. And sometimes maybe more than we want. 😉
Praying you’ll embrace all the new roles He has for you as you keep your focus on eternity!
That’s true. It reminds me of the Cosby show, when they kept coming back home, and they kept trying to get rid of them. 😀 Focusing on eternity is the only way to go! Quite literally, now that I think about it! 😉
Yes, bittersweet, isn’t it? I remember when my first born turned 18. The graduation ritual is not just for your young-one, it’s for his mother, too. So much a turning point in your life. I still had three at home. Still, I knew it was the beginning of a new beginning. Fun times and some rude awakenings are ahead, I am sure. That’s what the journey is all about.
It is what the journey is all about. Every season has been wonderful, and there’s no need to believe this one will be any different.
As a widow I can understand “role” changes. It shakes us up a bit. Like the seasons, changes are inevitable in our lifetime. “Who am I?” The thing I’ve had to remember is that first and foremost: I am His servant. I serve Him when my role is wife and mother, widow and grandmother, etc. All in service to Him. These roles do indeed change, and we tremble and weep. His unexpected role change afterall….took Satan by surprise. He came to serve humbly and as we follow His example we find His peace. As always….thanks for sharing your heart.
There are seasons in life, just as there are seasons in weather. Every season has its own beauty.
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