A Family that Prays Together Stays Together
God is always there
by Barbara T. Marshall

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He is gone. Love, responsibilities, prayers, help and care were poured into our son, Jordan for the past eighteen years. Now we had to say goodbye.

My thoughts took over - Will you make it? ....Are you going to be okay? .......Remember to... pay your bills..., Comb your hair..., Spend time with God..., and don't forget to eat right! We wanted to make sure Jordan was going to be okay. We still were so eager to give him advice. "Don't wear yourself down." (I just couldn't help myself).

Jordan seemed oblivious to the myriad of emotions my husband and I were experiencing. He was ready to move out and on with his own life, and very excited to begin his new adventure. With his beanie on and a lip ring, (he had just added two days just before); he jumped into his new little sports car, (recently purchased for $2100, with oil leak and all). Jordan was making some changes that made me bite my lip from the shock and unbelief!

There he was. Our son; ready to start his own life. First stop - University of Santa Barbara. I suddenly realized those precious years had gone by too quickly. Memories of his early childhood flashed through my mind - from his first baby steps; to the time I'd received complaints from the church nursery that he had taught all his fellow toddlers how to climb out of their cribs too; and of course who could forget the time he was suspended from kindergarten for hitting someone back. He loved using the shock factor on me and could throw me for quite the loop! I enjoyed it all so very much - the humor, the laughter, and the joy of having him around. The fun he was; and the care and sincerity he had for all was so beautiful. What a delight to have spent those eighteen years together. A treasure, a gift from Above; and now I had to pray and let go, and let God.

Then it hit me. God is there!! Wherever Jordan goes! Jordan has a Mighty God that did not need me to constantly try to protect him, plan for him or save him from any mistakes. Instead of looking at the negative, or focusing on what was no more, I needed to see the value of what we had. We would still have prayer and phone calls. It would still be a special connection.

I know I am not the only one who has experienced all the feelings of letting go of our children when they are ready to set out on their own. There are many parents like me.

Psalm 139:1-3 came to mind. O Lord, you have searched for me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down. And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
Jordan was ready to run the race. From now on, there was one powerful thing I could do for him. To go to God and pray, pray, and pray; and then trust Him with the rest.

My dearest moms and dads, please pray for your children fervently; and pray Bible verses over them. Put your child's name in Psalm 139 above and pray over your child. They are not alone!