Live Well, My Sons

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh”(Genesis 2:24).

I remember holding each of my two sons for the first time. I was amazed at their faces and at how they fit so perfectly in my arms. I fell in love.

I imagined the next 18 years with each of them.
Eighteen years before they would go away to college.
Eighteen years seemed like such a long time back then.

It is hard to choose which were the most precious moments. Learning to walk and talk, starting kindergarten, birthday parties, overnight friends, Christmas—they were all momentous occasions. The teen years were great fun—more fun than I had ever imagined they could be. They went by too fast!

I can’t complain. I had two wonderful best friends. My guys were always there for me. They supported my husband and me wholeheartedly when we became missionaries. We dragged them to endless church services. They tried new foods, learned to scuba and were brave on airplanes. One of them went through cancer without complaining. The other kept himself together while I practically lived in the hospital.

I could never imagine more wonderful boys.

I can’t complain. It just went so fast. Now, my next task is much harder. I have to let my sons go. It is part of my job. They need to be able to bond with the women God has picked for them to marry. They can’t do that well if I hold on too tightly.

For their sakes, I can do it. I can let go. Can you?

Kimberly Snider is a missionary to the Philippines.

From “Moments for Moms,” a free email subscription.
Copyright (c) 2005 Women’s Ministries of the Assemblies of God.
http://www.ag.org/womensministries

 

Maxim of the Moment

If the shoe fits, you are not allowing for growth. - Vernon Law