Letting Go

So…my husband and I had allowed our son to drive on his own since passing his driving test within short distances like visiting his friends and right now, as I’m typing this, he’s getting ready to play tennis at a nearby high school to play with his friends he had known since elementary days.

On my own longer trips, because he’s on a vacation, I asked him if he wanted to come with me and when he did, I often handed him the keys. Not only I was able to rest from driving and this time, was able to enjoy some scenic views but I was also able to observe his driving skills. I became comfortable the more I let him drive and make his own decisions knowing that I could trust him and him, knowing that his father and I trusted him.

“So, you’re gonna’ be visiting a lot down here when Kristian goes to college here?” my friend asked.

Adding with a laughter, she uttered, “She’d be spying on you, Kristian.”

I laughed. My son laughed. But as the laughter died down, I replied, “Spying? Hmmm…I know…That’s what moms would want to do.” Intentionally letting my son hear me and he knew this before anyway, I added, “But it’s not spying…It’s being a “mom”. It is a job that requires for us to be protective of our young. And in a very difficult moment, even if I don’t want to, I need to learn to “let go.”

This precious life that the Lord had given my husband and I is not only ours. This life was from Him. We were given the task to guide him. We were given the duty to tell him about his Father in heaven Who would guide him and direct his ways, not us. Letting go of our children’s independence is hard. But letting go is a must. If we truly understand that they need to have fear of the Lord, a good kind of fear, then we know deep in our hearts that “letting go” becomes easier. If their roots are also established in God’s ground of love, letting go allows us, as parents, to watch our children make either right or wrong choices, despite the pain wrong decisions bring. But in doing so, we have allowed them to feel our love and trust.

An enduring love is what I want my son to learn. Having this, I want him to know that he can always come back to his father and mother any time he chooses to, knowing that “open arms” are ready to welcome him, after he begins his own life’s journey. We want him to be aware that his journey wouldn’t be easy. There are hard times. But he is not alone.  I know…because our Father in heaven  let me go many times despite the pain it caused Him with my wrong decisions and watched me headed for danger. Still…I didn’t listen. And when I finally reached a breaking point and turned back to Him,  I only heard Him say, “I love you…”

“Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.” – 1 John 4:18 (NLT)


Father, it is not easy to let go of my child to let him make his own decisions. But saying that is only to show fear. Forgive me Lord and continue to mold my heart. As a mother, help me show that by letting go of my child, I am completely trusting in You Oh Lord. From now on, I am "letting go" of my child to Your hands knowing that You are the One Who truly created him and will direct his footsteps as he begins his own life's journey. I pray that You will guide him with Your divine wisdom Lord and that You will always give him the gift of discernment. Lord, draw my son nearer to You. May he never forget to completely trust in You and in You alone. Thank You Lord for everything that You have done in our lives. Thank You for Who You are. Help our roots go down deeper into your soil of extravagant love. Thank You for Your love, mercy and grace. In Jesus' Name. Amen.