I see the moon and the moon sees me. God bless the moon and God bless me.

 

 

Full moon, as I was flying over Houston, (the first time to see the full moon from this perspective!)

 

     I can still hear the crickets chirping on a cool summer evening years ago. Their soothing chorus providing the background music to the conversation between me and my dad while we sat at the picnic table in our backyard gazing up at the full moon. That cherished moment has been permanently etched upon my mind.

    With the passing of time, that treasured God-given souvenir from time past intensified in its significance. For as an adult daughter, the sighting of a full moon drew me back to that childhood memory again and again. I took to calling my dad to see if he noticed the full moon-no matter where I happened to be. He grew to expect my call at a full moon sighting and we remained connected in spite of the miles that separated us at times. 

   Now the roles are reversed. I find myself in the position of my father all those years ago.  Other cities, other states, and even other countries have laid claim to my children and their families.  

     There’s nothing easy about being separated from your children and their families. Often I yearn for the sounds of children’s laughter, cozy moments spent sharing thoughts and ideas. Days, weeks, months pass sometimes between visits and I feel our connection waning. Yet, God in his caring concern created a distinctive orb of light for all of us to see and be reminded that love cannot be lessened by distance.

        Whenever the full moon graces the sky, it stirs my heart knowing my children have the same spectacular view as I do. The light from that silent sentinel washes over us all reassuring us of God’s love and our love for each other.  A love that remains steadfast and true regardless of the miles that may separate us. 

 

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It’s a matter of obedience!

Me & my boy! It’s a mom thing!

     I don’t know if you have noticed or not  that while my blog never plays down the struggles of living so-o-o-o far apart from my child, I always make it clear that God’s love, grace, and mercy champions me in those struggles.  Since releasing my son to the call of missions on his life, joy and peace have been my constant companions and have made what would have been an impossibility in my own strength a glorious possibility in His. (I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13)

     I write this blog to encourage other parents who find themselves on a journey such as mine. I want to assure you that releasing your child to missions or whatever God has called them to is not something to fear. (Remember, the safest place on earth is in the center of God’s will!)

     Recently, a grandmother of a brand-new missionary shared with me that she had expressed to  her grandchild her heartfelt wish that she wasn’t going so far away. Her missionary grandchild responded with, “Granma, would you want me to disobey God so I could be near you?”  That grandmother began to understand with greater clarity the priority of obedience. 

     My dear parent, releasing your child to do the work God has called them to is hard, I know! But the pain of releasing your child should not be your focus. Instead, the obedience to release your child should be.  As you obediently release your child, God’s grace, peace, and mercy will wash over you as a soothing balm. Your heart will be comforted; joy and peace will be your constant companions as you make this journey. It’s a blessed life and you will be just as grateful as I am to be living it!

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7