We set out Thursday morning in a truck that is not ours, being made aware that
it got left behind for us to take when it would be convenient for us.
Although close to home we have magnolia trees blossoming, it took but maybe five hours
before we drove through these snow banks.
I was looking forward to catching some good shots of the Rockies, but on a trip like this
I have to be prepared for going out of the way to stop off at job sites
I have to be prepared for going out of the way to stop off at job sites
and waiting for certain inspections to be done.
By the time we saw them in the distance, it was time to stop for dinner.
And by the time dinner was done, we could only enjoy them by the light of the moon.
We drove late into the night.
The next morning, it did not take long
before we drove through a completely different landscape!
It was many hours on the road in a black Nissan truck,
one I always loved seeing when it came whipping into our driveway.
I looked at my H and bluntly asked him,
"Why do we do this?"
We had a little discussion about similar trips.
Like . . .why did we haul our piano down the I-5 to a daughter waiting?
And . . . why did we pack homemade strawberry jam amongst our clothing and travel to a foreign country to build a tree house?
Why? Is this what parents do? Is this what it means to help them out of the nest?
Of course, we smiled . . .
I'm not trying to write another sad post, I'm just saying . . .
The good thing is that, after all is said and done, these times become a good memory
pointing out the diverstiy of life and how we love.
But the question remains . . .
Why, when it hurts to let them go, do we make it easier for them?
I could not help but notice what looked like crosses flying by, enlarging the distance between the here and the there . . . on Good Friday.
And just now I see it . . .
How very much our Heavenly Father must love us!
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not
also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:32
20 comments:
Beautiful and reflective writing. I have never had to do what you have done. I've only had to let two boys go to the one they love more than me.
We know this letting go business is healthy and we would choose them to let go of us and never come to live in our house again but that doesn't make it easy.
Your blog name is more accurate than you could have imagined. This too is a season that will have your character even more refined to be like Jesus.
The photos are beautiful too. I can imagine you watching for those rockies.
Beautiful honest reflections Anneliese. Thankful to the God of all comfort, that he helps us to do all these things for our children...
I can certainly identify, having done things like this many times. Yes it is so hard to let them go but when I see our children settled and happy in the choices they have made I can rejoice in the midst of wishing they were closer.
I love that trip - Canada is so beautiful in all it's diversity and I look forward to going each time all the more because I know the joy that will greet us at our destination.
Thank you for sharing the spiritual lessons you are learning from this move.
This is lovely, Anneliese. Honest and painful, but beautiful.
Reading your blog is like reading my parents' thoughts when we left home so many years ago. Through your words I can sense the twinning of love and pain that accompanies children moving far away.
I am so thankful for parents who blessed us and sent us on our way. At the time we never realized the cost - yes, we missed them, longed to be home for family events, yearned for them to know their grandchildren - but now, from the perspective of a woman with grown children and a grandchild, the pain is much stronger.
I remember thinking when our first child was born how much more I loved her than she loved me. And it gave me a tiny glimpse into the love that God has for me which is so much greater than what I give him.
Through all these experiences God is molding you to be more like him.
I am amazed at the differences in landscape that you saw on your trip. I can see the beauty in all of the scenery. And you do a good job of looking for the beauty in all of the seasons you find yourself in.
Beautiful post, Anneliese. When my kids were young I used to proclaim to any and all that my job as a mom was to prepare them to leave me. Now... well, I did my job, but sometimes it hurts!
Your poignant words from a mama's heart speak love - and surrender, as the crosses so beautifully symbolize. Amazing pics of God's beautiful creation!
Your words seem to speak to me - and in reading your blog I feel like you are a kindred spirit. I too have felt the sadness with adult children moving away - and the joy when they moved back close to home. I like the way you put the analogy of our heavenly Father loving us even more than we love our children. You say it so simply and so much better than I could. Thank you for your insight and how much of yourself you put into your writing. May God continue to bless you.
Helen
Thank you for this reflection on the Father's love for us. Amazing!
Beautiful photos!
And I have kids moving, too. They live 30 minutes away now and they will be living about 2.5 hours away once they move. And while I'm happy that there is a job and they'll have the financial resources that they need.... I'm not thrilled about them being so far away. That mini-van or SUV I have been planning to buy may end up being an economy car. I hear that some get 54 miles to the gallon... and at that rate, I could afford to visit two or three times as often!
What a metaphor for the transitions in your life. Going through different seasons of life and different landscapes as life changes. You may be empty nest, but probably busier now than before as the family has expanded and moved around the world. And of course you make it easier for them, who wouldn't want to? Homemade strawberry jam on the mission field...delicious...love/home in a jar!
I am having much trouble reading this today! The tears are flowing and the lump in my throat really hurts. You have said it so beautifully. Your unconditional love for your children is surely only a glimpse of how the Father loves each of us! There truly is a season for everything, if only I could accept and realize that! Thank you for your words of wisdom and gentleness.
Anneliese, I've been following your blogging about your children and theirs coming and going, leaving for far-away places, returning, leaving again, coming home once more, maybe for good. Then others going. We too have seen kids move to different places, we too have driven with or behind them as was necessary. Now we are anticipating in a few weeks going a day's drive away to help bring one set back closer to us... but only for a while... only for 4 months, then they will be off across oceans a day's flight away with their three pre-schoolers. You have been such an encouragement to me with your wise words and insights. I've been preparing myself, and I think I can do this... I think, though it's going to be difficult, I think I can let them go. Indeed, why we do this is because they belong to the Father who loves them more than even we do, and we want them to be where they know He wants them.
Thank-you for bearing your heart and for being so honest... It's a blessing to me,and helping me to prepare.
-Marg N
What a lovely drive....with lots of time to ponder and chat. We too have packed up a child and moved her to another province. We had some reservations and questions, and also shared her excitement. I just knew that she would stay there...and she did. She fell in love with a really great guy who we now call son. Our grandkids now live far away....and we have come to love those road trips, and flights. The times together are so precious....their lives are full and blessed. We are so grateful for their joy.
I hope in my heart that one day they will relocate...close by. But only if that is what God has for them.
Thank you for your reflections.....
Such open and honest thoughts from a mother who has had to say good-bye...again! Words of wisdom and love...and beautiful photos too!
Did I tell you I love your header?
Marg N.- Thank you for your note. I think I may know who you are and even if I do not, I want you to know that I am encouraged that my writing about my kids coming and going has helped someone else. I feel encouraged when readers don't feel like I am lamenting the facts ... because I am truly grateful that our kids want to go the way that the Lord leads them... but there is a cost in every move. Interesting thing I've learned is the cost can bring you closer in a different way.
Many parents have had to let their children go for various reasons ... in different ways... and mine is not hard compared to others. For all of us, no matter what the circumstance, I know that God will give grace (help) when we put our trust in Him and He will work all things out for good.
You may find these next months hard, but know that God will not withold any good gift from you. He will bless in ways that will surprise you and encourage you along the way.
It does hurt - there's no denying it. I'm thankful for the ways that we can communicate now compared to when I left my Island home with my dh and first baby. We were gone 10 years with only letters, weekly phone calls and occasional visits - I'm so glad for Skype now. It really makes me feel closer to my son and his wife in the UK. I'm even hoping for some Skype story-times when the Lord blesses them with babies of their own.
The biggest thing I'm learning - and you are helping me Anneliese - is trust and surrender. It's a hard lesson but a good one.
Love from PEI! You need to keep driving across this beautiful country til you get to the Martimes!!
This was a beautiful post! The photos were breath-taking and your conclusion was spot on.
It's always interesting to see what others see along their travels. May God continue to bless you as you release your children. They were ours for only a short time, and then we release and let them go...OUCH!
You've released them into God's hands and that's the blessing about your lives.
Anneliese, Your posts about family and love are a great source of wisdom and comfort. There are so many of us trying to see God's plan in separation from our loved ones. My own resolve is always to stay family-especially to the little ones. Mine are far but always in my heart. Thank you. Nan
Post a Comment