Yawwwnnn!

These are pictures from years past because I am feeling reflective today.

Mornings are not my forte.  I can't seem to get this ole' body moving yet.  

I was beginning my devotional this morning and found something that I wanted to share with you.  I try not to get too deep in my blog.  I think that is mostly because I write in the mornings and I'm not feeling it yet.  But this caught me....

*Don't hold on to your children so tightly that God can't move them.

*As your children get older, the best mothering involves less smothering.

*It's a mother's job to raise her children to be independent and self-sufficient.  She is to be praised when that happens (although she will later regret that she was so good at it).

*"Letting go" is difficult for a mother-but if it doesn't happen, it is disastrous for the child.

*Some of the greatest joys of motherhood can only be experienced from a distance.

I am noting some signs that I need to "let go" a little.  Especially with Ryan.  Since he has a girlfriend now.  I am constantly drilling him every afternoon.  Poor guy.  When I say girlfriend, I mean that very loosly.  They hang out between classes, at Sunday School and Youth Group, and they also text each other.  

This is how a conversation might go when he gets home from school.....

"How was Maggie today?, Did you sit with her at lunch?, What did you talk about?"    I understand that while I'm doing it, I'm driving him crazy.  But on the other hand, I just cannot stop.  

The joys of motherhood are some of my life's sweetest rewards.  But the uncertainty of motherhood are some of mys hardest "stuff".  I guess that I need to find a balance with him.  Before I get any phone calls from you....I do understand that he is only 13.  I know that I cannot "let go" completely.  I just need to do more "let God".

So, I found this poem on the Internet, and I love it.  I know that I'm not there yet.  But in some ways, it feels like it could be as close as tomorrow.

Side by Side

It's happened, my friend

They're almost grown

Out the door

On their own

Needing us just

As bad as before

Sometimes we'll think

We need them more

Unwelcomed change

Strangely true

This is what

We raised them to do

Empty rooms

Then they'll come home

Friends to see

Talk on the phone

A minute here

A minute there

Still we'll know

We were there......

Watching them play

Watching them grow

Breaking up fights

Bandaging toes

From Sunday school

To Mother's Day Out

From Kindergarten

To Brownies and Scouts

From Big Wheels

To souped-up cars

From sleeping bags

To football scars

Cried 'till we laughed

Laughed 'til we cried

One moment proud

The next horrified

Dobson's books

On dusty shelves

It's time for them

To try it themselves

Oh, my friend

It's been fun

In many ways

We've just begun

So much ahead

Mothers confide

Let's stick like we started:

Side by Side

-Beth Moore