Loving and Letting Go…

Well, we are one week away from our son, Blake’s, wedding!! Planning is going full speed ahead and I’m working through memories and emotions as not to be a complete mess the day of the wedding 🙂 Each day as I pray for Blake and his soon to be wife, Anastasia, God reminds me…how you love them is a fraction of the love I have for you. I began to think about all the ways we have loved Blake through the years.

The funny thing is, his mistakes and the hard times were not on the forefront of my mind. All the sweetest moments, all the hugs, the precious mispronunciations of words as he learned to talk, the way he looked at his father for protection, his laughter, his accomplishments, his potential…that’s what flooded my mind and heart. Again, God whispered to my heart, my love for you is that and more. Loving is guiding, building, comforting, encouraging, disciplining, forgiving and also letting go.

Letting go seems like it would be negative and heart wrenching. And yes, there are strong emotions, but it honestly fills my heart with such gratitude and peace. I am beyond thankful that God gave us grace in our parenting, giving us favor and protection for Blake when we questioned or just didn’t know what to do. We are able to let him go because we have done all we know to do, as parents. He loves the Lord, he honors us and he is madly in love with a woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with. He isn’t perfect but he KNOWS where his identity lies and understands the foundation for a good marriage is God alone.

Revisiting and remembering was a personal reminder for me of the love God has for his children. How He loves us, chooses us, pursues us, protects us, provides for us and blesses us is beyond comprehension at times. Remembering Blake’s childhood, teenage years and young adulthood was a picture into that love and I was overcome with joy. God’s love is perfect and at times when our love is imperfect, God’s grace moves in to more than make up for where we lack.

How we love those around us is a reflection of how we receive God’s love for us. So today, take some time to reflect on the love that God has for you. It is not conditional and it cannot be earned, it is freely given just waiting for you to embrace it. He is there to encourage you, to draw out the best in you, and to set you on the path of righteousness so that He may be glorified through you. He LOVES you!!

1 John 4:19, “We love because He first loved us.”

For all you moms out there, this weekend I will watch my baby boy commit his love to another before God and others. Moms, pray for your children and their future spouses, no matter their age. For years we have prayed and now we get to stand with Blake as he pledges his forever to God’s chosen one for him. Here is something I found recently when we moved, he was only seven years old when he wrote this (insert huge heart smile and grateful tears here). He will always be this sweet boy to me, even as a married man 🙂 Here we go….