This morning our hearts are heavy as we have to bid farewell to our daughter, Sarah, as she heads back to grad school in Oregon. The next planned visit will be in May in Oregon and that is a long ways away. The tears started this morning as Mike and I got ready but as I told him I am so proud of her. We cannot clip her wings. We have to support this journey and be proud that she could move 3000 miles away, knowing no one, and build a life for herself. Saying all of this does not help as we say goodbye. I am reminded of our small group Bible study this week when we talked about worry and worship nor fear and faith can go together.
I know I say this a lot but I do not know how people go through things without faith! Deuteronomy 31: 8, "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” There is such comfort in knowing that we can tell our children goodbye knowing that God is going with them. Not just another friend or relative but GOD! And He won't just get her to Oregon but he will stay with her .....never leaving her! And He will never abandon her! What more could we want?
Deuteronomy 1: 30, "The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes," If trouble comes God will be there fighting for her whether she knows it or not. Whether she even knows she is facing trouble.
Day after day David faced the mounting pressures of being a king and the terrors that were looking at him. Every morning when he woke up dreading what lay ahead, he was reminded that God had a hedge of protection around him. Job 1: 10, "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has?" David knew that he was sheltered in the heart of God. And I know that God has put a hedge of protection around my household.... wherever the households may be!
Psalm 139: 5, " You both precede and follow me and place your hand of blessing on my head." TLB Today I want to be like David and know that God goes before Sarah and all of us and places His hand of blessing on our heads! God is not just protecting us and being with us but He is BLESSING us at the same time! What comfort that gives me as we head to the airport. God wants and knows what is best for us. All we have to do is trust Him with everything.... including our children! I choose worship and faith today!
I choose that too Jill and you have many more precious memories to think of Sarah and know that she is blessed!