God’s Got Him
“Mom, can I go to the state baseball game in Belton tomorrow?” I read the text and panic set in. Belton is over 160 miles away. Bret and his friends would be on Interstate 35 for almost three hours. My son is nearly 17 but I had never given him this kind of freedom before. The worst case scenario flashed through my mind. I needed to shake that off.
As I scrolled through the mental pros and cons of the road trip, at some point I realized I needed to let my son and his friends go to the game. It would be a life experience for him and I knew God had him. I pray regularly for Bret’s protection but just in case, I prayed fervently for him again this morning after he walked out the door, loaded with a bag of blueberry muffins and leftover pizza. He was beginning his adventure.
I believe as parents we have to trust God with our children and hope that some of the principles we’ve taught them will stick when they are on their own.
Jesus had to do the same with those he loved. In Luke 10: 1-3 Jesus appointed 72 other disciples to go out and draw people to the faith. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.
Like a cautious dad Jesus said, “It’s evil out there. Don’t speak to strangers.” He knows how I am feeling right now. He knew the world was dangerous and wanted his 72 followers to be careful. but he also knew they were ready and he had to let them go. He had to trust his Father to watch over them when they were no longer nearby.
Giving our children freedom is essential if we want them to mature. We have to trust God with their safety and we need to let them know we trust them. As I am writing this, I am flooded with peace because I know God is with my son and his friends as they travel to support their school’s baseball team. Play ball!