The Shifting of the Seasons

"September is the other January." 

— Gretchen Rubin

This week is a strange one. For the past decade and more, the beginning of September has meant extra events on our family’s personal calendar. Meet the Teacher nights, PTA kick-offs, Youth events, Band practices… All of that and settling into the routine of the new school year–new schedules to remember, new teachers to get to know, new friends in our orbit, new lessons to learn. August and September meant change.

This was the case, but not now. And I’ll be honest, it took a focused effort to realize that a new month started. I think I had taken for granted the structure having kids in school had given me. Now, as friends of young children post their first day of school or Parents’-Day-Out photos, I’m torn between feelings of grief for an era gone by and feelings of freedom for an era just beginning.

When my eldest child graduated from high school, I’ll admit to feeling a bit distraught. I had no clue what my role as “The Mother” would be after that Graduation Day. Having walked the road, I can tell you that I was elated to find out the new role of “The Cheerleader” on the other side. Since Ella started the pilot training program at TSTC and lived on her own, this position of being on the front row of the fans has been a delight.

Now that my twins have also graduated from high school, knowing what I know now, I can’t wait to cheer them on in their pursuit of what fills their heart with passion. I can’t wait to watch them navigate life, and I'll be ready to offer advice when asked. I have found comfort in the words a friend told me about parenting adult children: my response to whatever idea or plan should be, “That’s great. I can’t wait to see how it all works out.”

There is still that major shift—in all the ways there could be. Ella is getting married to a really great guy in a month, and the twins will move out soon, navigate employment, make decisions with out me, and find friends that I don’t know. I’ve also heard someone say, “Parenting adult children isn’t for sissies.” There will be those times when I think I see them headed for a poor choice, be it a minor slip-up or a major disaster. What will my reaction be then? I hope that I am able to trust–trust God to hold them all in the palm of His mighty and loving hand and trust each of them to know how to figure things out.

That’s the shift in this season that’s harder than any new class or busy schedule. It’s not in my nature to trust, and I have found myself praying more and more to trust God in his wisdom and sovereignty… to trust the relationship that Joel and I have with the children to navigate this shift… to trust each of the children in their own decisions and preferences… to trust all the love we have for each other…

I feel like at times, this is a free-fall into the unknown, but isn’t that just life anyway?

May it be a free-fall into the love of a God that we can trust.

Some Words of the Lord for God’s people–and for this momma….

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you... plans to give you a future and a hope.'

Deuteronomy 31:8 

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Philippians 1:6 

“...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Psalm 139:1-2 

“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise...”

John 16:33

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Proverbs 16:9

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

Lamentations 3:25

“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.”

If I forget, maybe my church and my people can help me remember these promises. 

Thanks be to God.