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Sweet moms, for the past few weeks, I have been looking at adorable, handsome, beautiful, young children. Their pictures are all over Facebook.

These children, who are dressed to the max, are either starting preschool, kindergarten, elementary, high school or college. Reading the statements from moms posting comments about their darlings– we have some mighty proud mommas!!!! However, with this well deserved pride there comes lumps in their throats, tears on their cheeks and anxiety in their hearts; knowing that their babies are starting a new phase in their lives. You realize that they may not depend on you as much as before.

They will become more independent in their thinking and their actions. You look around your house and your “nest” isn’t as full as it was before your children started on this new journey. Guess what mom? You are normal!!! You are suppose to have some of these feelings. You are not alone.

When I look back over the years of raising our two children, I remember when they were starting different stages in their lives. I was excited to see our Heidi starting kindergarten. She was so ready to meet new friends and enjoy a new beginning. I was ok as a mom because I knew our second child, the baby in the family was still in preschool.

But four years later, when our son, Stephen was going to start kindergarten, I was a basket case. I cried the night before he was to start kindergarten. He was a young five year old and being a boy, I just didn’t know if he was ready to start school. I begged my husband to call the principal and get his advice. My husband said, he would not call the principal and since Stephen was five years old, he was going to go to kindergarten. He went on to tell me to stop crying, that there was no need for that, because  I was going to be his kindergarten teacher!!! I told you I had it bad!

A few years later, Stephen was starting the sixth grade. I went into K-Mart to buy his school supplies. When I went to pick up a large box of crayons off the shelf, the tears started to flow. I realized that the box of crayons I was holding, would be the last box of crayons, I would ever buy for Stephen again. No more. I cried all the way home.

The stages of life never change the emotions a mom has over her children as they travel on their journey through life. When we took our daughter Heidi to college for her freshman year, that was another sad event. I sobbed when I had to hug and kiss her before getting in our car and heading for Ohio. I looked in the rear view mirror and saw my darling daughter waving goodbye. I turned and looked at Jim and begged him to stop the car, turn around and let me give her one more hug. He would not. I cried all the way home, about 12 hours. My arms literally ached because I longed to give one more hug to my Heidi.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”

I would go on about my experiences as a mom and the various stages that my children have gone through, but I know that you could share your own stories.

Yes, mom, when you look back over time, some of your days in raising your children seemed so long, tiring and stressful. But now, looking at those picture perfect children on Facebook, the years seem so short. Where did the time go?

My advice mom– hold your head up high. Remember, God loves your children more than you do!!! I know that is a whole lot of love!!!

Remember to stand proud– you have prepared your darlings for these moments in their lives. Let go and let God!!!

Deuteronomy 31:6 ” Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them; for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”