Letting Go

Well it was very different having a 16 year old driver during Christmas Break this year. Chris was gone from home much more than he was home during the break. The new found freedom of being able to drive was very real for Chris. It was also very eye-opening for me. Another phase of life has come. Even though he has to tell us where he is going and check in with us often while he is gone, it is still not possible to know where he is every minute that he is gone. It made me realize that I have lost some of the parental control I have had for the past 16 years. It used to be he would only be where I took him. Now he has the freedom to take himself places. Though that is in some ways very freeing for me, it is also scary. But, I must say that I am very thankful that he is a good kid and that for the most part he has a good head on his shoulders. It is hard to let go, but is a little easier when you can feel confident that you have instilled good values and morals into your child and they are seeming to follow in the path you have set for them. I know I have to put him in the Lord's hands and pray for protection every time he leaves the house. It is amazing the peace I have in the midst of this change. God is good and gets us ready for the next thing we have to face.