Trusting God When Your Kids Step Into the Unknown
by Tracie Miles
TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE
“But I am trusting you, O LORD, saying, ‘You are my God’!" Psalm 31:14 (NLT)
SOMETHING TO PONDER
It seems like just yesterday my three little ones were coming down the stairs in the mornings with floppy bedheads and sleepy eyes. Then the years came and went when they went to college and took their turns proudly walking across the stage to claim their degrees. And now, two are married, and two of those little ones have precious little ones of their own. Where does the time go?!
Growing up is hard. Not just for kids. But for moms, too. When our kids enter new seasons of life so do we, and trusting God with our children becomes more important — and maybe even harder — than ever before.
In today’s key verse, we see evidence of David turning away from his doubts and fears and intentionally deciding to trust God instead. He realized he had no chance of winning the battles against his enemies without God’s help.
David faced a physical enemy, but often we face the invisible enemy of our out-of-control thoughts and emotions, especially when our little ones have become big ones, and it’s time for them to spread their wings and fly, whether it’s heading off to college, married life or parenthood, our hearts can feel burdened.
The worries that linger in a mom’s heart, and the emotions we feel watching our babies evolve, don’t change just because they grow up. As a result, we can sometimes feel a little worried or even hopeless about what the future holds for them, and for us. Those worrisome thoughts lead to anxiety filled emotions which can eventually become a thief of joy and peace.
Just like David realized, it’s hard to try to win the battle for our thoughts and emotions all alone. David boldly proclaimed His trust in God because he was loved by His Father. As moms we, too, can boldly proclaim our trust in God by believing God loves our children just as much as we do.
But let’s face it, despite our best intentions to trust God with our children, worries and fears can still fill our minds. When our children start new phases of life like kindergarten, middle school or high school, it’s hard not to worry. But when they start college, worry can reach a whole new level, especially when that worry is coupled with the empty ache in our hearts from looking at their empty bedroom in our house and possibly even facing an empty nest.
So, for all you moms sending your most treasured possessions off to a college campus, preparing them to walk down the aisle, or holding your little grandbaby for the first time, here are a few dos and don’ts to keep in mind to help you maintain peace and comfort in your heart as you embark on this new phase of life, as much as them:
Don't let your emotions run away with you. After dropping my firstborn off at college years ago, I let my emotions get the better of me, as if sending my daughter to college was throwing her to the wolves and meant never, ever seeing her again. Ever. I finally realized I was letting my fears and mama emotions control my joy (and rationale!). And admittedly, there have been plenty of other times as they moved on into even bigger seasons of life, where my worries often got the better of me.
Do ask God to fill your heart with peace and comfort, and trust He is in control in every season of life – ours and theirs. It’s hard to control emotions, especially when it comes to the well-being and love for our children. Ask God to fill you with a peace that surpasses understanding and the ability to control your emotions in the face of each new season.
Don't assume your child is going to make the same mistakes you did in college or as a young adult — or that they won't make any mistakes at all. As moms, we want to prevent our kids from making decisions that will negatively impact them. But as much as we want to protect them, we have to let them make their own choices … which sometimes means their own mistakes and learning things the hard way. Just as we learned from our mistakes and may have already seen God use those mistakes for His glory, so will they.
Do pray for the Holy Spirit to be their guide. Ask God to convict their hearts if they start heading down the wrong path. We can’t always be with our children, but we can trust that God is.
Don't convince yourself you’ve failed at getting your child ready for college or adulthood. Sending a child off into any new phase of life is never easy on a mom's heart, even if the new experiences they are launching into are normal, good and wonderful things. We can always think of a million things we could/should have done better.
But we are reminded in Proverbs 22:6 that if our child really knows the Lord, even if they stray, they will eventually return.
Do continue to pray daily for your child’s heart and life. Ask God to bring people into their lives who will be godly influences and help shape them in positive ways. Never cease praying for your children, no matter how old they get. They may stray, but they will never stray too far for Him to find them, or for them to find Him again.
Letting go of the reins of our children’s lives is hard on a mom in every season of life, but when we focus on our faith instead of our worries, trust God will be looking after them and hang on to His truth that He has holy plans for their lives, just like He does for our own, the letting go can seem a little less stressful.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Lord,
Help me have peace about sending my child off into this new season of life. I know I can’t protect them and keep them safe all the time, so I ask for You to protect them in every way and commit to trusting You to do so. Help me remember You are in control and always by their side, even when they fall or fail. Nudge my spirit when I’m allowing worry to fester, so that I can refocus on who You are, and let your peace fill my soul.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. You’re not letting go—you’re launching.
As your child steps into a new chapter, it’s tempting to feel like you're losing something. But the truth is, you’re launching them into the very life you’ve been preparing them for all along. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior (Psalm 127:4), our children are meant to be released with purpose and direction. You haven’t failed by letting go—you’ve succeeded in leading them here.
Meditation: “Lord, help me to trust that releasing my child is not the end of my role, but the fulfillment of it. Let me send them forward with faith, not fear.”
2. God goes where you cannot.
Whether it’s a classroom, a dorm room, a new home, or even a delivery room, there will be places you can’t go with your child. But God can. His presence is not limited by location, and His love is not bound by proximity. When you can’t be there, He already is.
Meditation: “Wherever they go, Lord, I trust that You go before them, behind them, beside them, and within them (Deuteronomy 31:8). You are their constant.”
3. The story is still being written.
Just because your role is changing doesn’t mean it’s ending. Seasons shift, but the bond of love continues to grow, just in new ways. You’re not obsolete; you’re evolving. Keep showing up. Keep cheering. Keep praying. Your presence still matters deeply.
Meditation: “God, help me embrace this new season with grace. Let me see this transition not as a goodbye, but as an invitation to keep loving in a new and beautiful way.”
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/fizkes
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