I’m Not Ready Yet… Is That Okay?

Proverbs 22:6  Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart form it.

There are some things in life that you’re never ready for… no matter how much time you’ve had to prepare for them.

• The loss of a family pet
• The death of a loved one
• Saying goodbye to someone you love

This week, our family will drop our son off for his freshman year of college in sunny Pensacola, FL. We are releasing our first arrow into the world. We’ve been preparing ourselves for this day for years, yet it still feels like we’re not ready. 

While we’re excited to be spending some final family time away together, we will be leaving Pensacola with a tear in our eye (or maybe faces covered in tears) and a void in our hearts. 

It’s a two-sided coin really… 

There’s something very satisfying about seeing our son enter this new season of his life…

• We’ve prepared him for the last 18 years for this moment
• He’s grown up into a fine and godly young man
• Pursuing God’s call upon his life makes us proud

I’m reminded of Psalm 127:4… As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 

In many ways, this is an exciting time. We have raised him to release him. And the time has come. 

But there is also something very humbling and surreal about your first child leaving home. It’s bitter-sweet really…

• It’s a unique milestone with no turning back (less than a decade and we’ll be empty nesters)
• 18 years of hard work, fervent prayer, and intentional investment are over, never to be reclaimed or redone. Now we trust God with the outcome.

And then there were five…

As I’ve thought about dropping Spencer off and heading home without him, I’ve tried to prepare myself for this moment… You see, I’m not only dropping off my son, I’m dropping off the godly young man who has become my best friend. I’m dropping off one of my greatest life investments. 

But I’m not sure you’re ever fully prepared for these things, no matter how much time you’ve had. But I have to remember that these are the kind of moments we hope for, we pray for, and we live for. 

We have pulled back on the bow, it’s time to release the arrow and let go. 

Letting go is hard. As our family crosses the threshold from one season to another this week, if I’m being honest… I’m not ready yet… Is that okay?

Are you facing something in your life that you’re just not ready for yet?… It’s okay. 

Remember that God is preparing you too for the next season of His goodness.