Letting Go

It’s hard to believe that summer is almost over and in a little over two weeks, my son will be a college student. For me, this brings a whole mix of emotions: happiness, pride, anxiety and quite a bit of sadness. It is hard for me to grasp that raising my little boy to be independent and resourceful has reached the point where I now need to let go.

When my son and I attended campus orientation earlier this month, the union was lined with tables set up for every interest and activity on campus. There were tables about eating plans, housing options, transportation, recycling, sports team tickets and student organizations. It was crowded and very overwhelming. As we are getting ready to leave, my son made a beeline to the campus ministries table. I have to admit, I was proud that my 18 year old son would think to continue his faith journey on his own.

Mallory’s story on college campus ministries had me look into the school's Wesley Foundation and we now have contacts and information. I also signed up to be a part of Pray40 to pray for college students. It's comforting to know that others will be including my son in their prayers.

As I am preparing for this reality of moving my son to college, the feelings are similar to helping him to learn to walk or how to ride his bicycle.  I know these events in his life have been preparing us both for this next step of him becoming a man. Just like learning to ride his bike, I’ll be here to brush off the scrapes and bruises and I’ll extend my hand to help him off the ground. I’ll give him a hug and offer encouragement and help him try again. That will never change.

And when I am praying for the college students during Pray40, I am going to add a prayer for the moms of these students as well. I know I miss those simple days of taking first steps and training wheels. And I know that I am not alone, as a mom, who could use the prayers for comfort and reassurance as I watch my son, a young man now, peddle down the road without me.