The Big, Ugly Cry
Bev Dracos
You have prepared your child from the day of their birth to be capable, independent, and self-sufficient. You have dreamed of the day when they would confidently step into their future.
And somehow, you thought that day was far away, in the very distant future.
You survived the busy Senior Year of “lasts” – the last game, the last performance, the last prom, the last trip with the church youth group. Tears ran down your face at graduation, but you joyfully celebrated the accomplishment.
All the college applications, all the campus visits, all the planning for where to live and what to take… or all the job applications and the move to a new city… or all that goes with enlisting in the military and preparing to report to the first duty station….
The planning is done and then, the day arrives.
You are going to get one great big hug, get in your car and go home…without them. Nothing in all the years prepared me for the Big, Ugly Cry.
Like most moms I cried buckets of tears over my children. There were tears of joy, tears of frustration, tears of concern, tears in prayer to God for help and wisdom, tears of heartbreak…but no tears like those of knowing that even though they would be home again, it would somehow never be quite the same.
My mind filled with questions. Were they ready? Had we taught them well? Did we do enough?
Some of you have young children and you are wondering if the day will ever come when you can sit in silence for just five minutes. The day will come. And the silence will be deafening.
How do we deal successfully with such a big change? We can take great comfort in our unchangeable, unshakeable God.
Hebrews 13:8 — Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 — There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.… a time to plant and a time to uproot.
Ecclesiastes 7:10 – Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?’ For it is not wise to ask such questions.
So, this week I remind you to hug your children, pour into them all the joy and laughter you can. Teach them, lead them, love them and thank God every single day that He chose YOU to be their mama.
Train them in the way they should go… and when they do go, prepare yourself for the Big, Ugly Cry and a new chapter of life.
- Note to mamas of young children: The days may be long, but the years are short!
Let’s talk about it….
- When you left home, did you feel prepared? Why or why not?
- What scriptures do you run to when big changes are occurring in your life?
- Every season of motherhood has its share of joys and challenges. Please share some of the joys and challenges you have experienced.
