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Thursday, July 26, 2012

Changing Roles


We recently had the pleasure of having our youngest son home. He was here for about three weeks, it was a time for him to "decompress",  visit with family, get some rides in and practice for the next gig. He is planning  to come back for a couple of days the end of August to join the family at a lake house...if that can happen I will be thrilled.

While he was home he was able to spend some time with his brother and we were able to arrange a family outing...something we have never been able to do because of various reasons.(schedules, commitments, finances etc) It was fun seeing the brothers "hanging" together...and the nieces and nephew loved spending time with their uncle.





With each visit home after my son moved out I would notice more and more of the child disappearing and more of the man emerging...I think this summer I noticed that the transition was complete, he is grown and well able to take care of himself. Note to self...mom if you haven't figured it out yet your role has changed! (actually it changed a long time ago)

As a parent of adult children I need to remember God has a plan for them, it may not look like my plan but that's okay because his plan is going to be better anyway. The training is done...don't look back, just as God is in control of my life he is in control of theirs too....really! I need to talk less, listen more and pray often....Am I always going to remember this...nooo... it's pretty hard not to voice my opinions, after all I have so many, but with God's grace I will learn how to adapt to this new role. A quote I read the other day pretty much sums up what we all should be doing when it comes to our children

"It didn't take me long to realize that I did my best parenting by prayer. I began to speak less to the kids and more to God. It was actually quite relaxing."  from A Praying Life by Paul E. Miller. I'd say that was pretty good advice

"My grace is sufficient for you , for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me"  2 Corinthians 12:9






                              

4 comments:

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Oh my I need a tissue...tears are just flowing, you sure you didn't hear my conversation with my Ethel this weekend? You have taken my heart and tied it up with a bow...thanks for the reminder of these truths...ones that I need to read each day as four of my adult children take on life and mates

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

A very special post and sweet photos of your dear family. Yup, roles are always changing. Some I take to easily, others are a little harder.

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

oh this is all so true! I am still wondering where all those years have gone, and how I was in the thick of it with my kids, and now THEY are in the thick of it with their own!! :)

Yep... pray more, talk less, such a good rule of thumb!

Laurie said...

Oh, this was such a good post! Our daughters are grown, married and have children of their own, and I am learning to let go more and more, remembering the words a friend shared with me long ago, to hold them all loosely in my hands. and trust their lives to God.

Great photos of your family!