It seems like just a few years ago that my son, Taylor, graduated kindergarten. The year after, I think he started middle school. It feels like just last year when he graduated high school.
Then on a picture-perfect day this past Saturday, my husband and I thanked God and proudly and tearfully watched him cross the stage at Anderson University with 449 others to receive his college degree. Those 17 years of school literally flew by.
I still remember it like it was yesterday that I let go of the back of his bike as he wobbled down the road beside our house. Just a few short years later, we had our first driving lesson. He did great, but I was a nervous wreck.
Soon after, he carefully drove our SUV out of the driveway to go pick up his girl for their first date.
In August of 2012, we moved him into the dorm at Anderson. He came back home to spend that first weekend with us, and, as he headed out in his little car that Sunday night, my husband and I stood watching him. He stopped at the end of the driveway, beeped his horn, then drove off into the night.
I cried. I prayed. I trusted God to take care of my boy.
And He has.
Taylor has become a remarkable man. For this I praise God, and give Him all the credit. With his degree in his hand, he starts his new full-time job next Monday. He has an amazing godly woman by his side (the same one he went to pick up for that first date). They will be married in October.
And on that day, I will cry. I will pray. And I will trust God to take care of my boy.
And I know He will.
1 Samuel 1:27-28 “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.”
Dear Lord: Thank you for your faithfulness in answering our prayers for our most precious commodity—our children. No matter how old they are or what their circumstances are, help us to always have faith in Your plans and never stop praying for them. You created them and You love them even more than we do. They are safer in Your arms than in ours. May we spend less time worrying about them and more time entrusting them to You. Amen
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Oh how beautifully you tell the story of Letting Go. The hardest job a parent has is to let our babies go…to go out into the world and make their way. I see God smiling down on you, Scott and Taylor saying “job well done”. You have raised an awesome, Godly man …. what better praise can we give to our God! The circle of life and love continues to grow!
Thank you, Cathy! We are so blessed! As I was writing this, God spoke to my heart about also letting Bradley go and letting God do His best work in his life. Like many moms, I am a work in progress with worrying less and trusting more. God is our loving Father who is working on every side for our children’s best interest and to help us as parents. What a good, good Father He is! Thanks for your encouragement, Cathy!
How true! Congratulations for passing the “mama” test as your young man pursues his “life” degree. You have been a godly mother and Taylor is as blessed to have you as you are to have him.
Thank you, Diana! You and Devin are right behind us with his graduation in December. May God bless you and Donn and Devin as he walks across the stage and into the future God has for him too. It’s different, but it’s all good! Love y’all!