It’s never easy letting your children go, but I did just that with my oldest two weeks ago. I have no doubt that I felt a little what Hannah must have felt when she took her little Samuel to the temple to leave him with Eli the priest. It must have been so hard for Hannah to leave him, but she knew God would take good care of him. When I let Taylor go last week, I asked God to please take over my job.
Psalm 127 is one of my favorite chapters, and it talks about letting our children go. It says, “Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.“
I am blessed to have Taylor as the oldest of the four arrows that are in my quiver. For the past 18 years I have done my very best at aiming him in the right direction. The hard part for me is now it’s time to “let go” of that arrow and let him fly, but that’s what you do with arrows and that’s what you do with children. Arrows were never meant to be protected, smothered or kept forever, and neither were children. Arrows are to fight. My prayer is that as I “let go” of my arrow he will go fight against Satan’s evil in this world and fight for doing what’s right in the eyes of God.
Letting go doesn’t mean I won’t pray for him, support him, love him or be his dad anymore. Instead letting him go simply means I’m placing Taylor in God’s hands. I’ll pray for him everyday, and I will always be here for him. If you are a parent, please understand, that the years, months, days and minutes are SO important with each child. We don’t have them very long – value and cherish them while you can, because you’ll be letting go sooner than you think.
Come to think of it, God totally understands letting a child go. He too had an arrow. He aimed it at the world and let it go. His arrow landed in Jerusalem on a hill called Golgotha. I’m glad He let go.
I am a Christian husband and father, who moonlights as the minister for the church of Christ in Childress, Texas. My wife Lea and I have been married for 22 years. We are doing our best to raise our 4 boys, who are all growing up way too fast.
Taylor is going to do so good! You and your wife have done a great job in raising him and getting him ready. I enjoyed having that kid in our schools. I too will miss him in our hallways….But it makes me proud when a CHS kid goes out and makes a hand in the world. I know you are very proud of him.-Kp
Trey,
Thanks for sharing your heart with us.
I was moved by the spiritual application with God letting his son go.
Powerful!
I hope you have a great day.
from what i have seen, u and Lea have done a very good job of raising your boys!
blessings
One of your greatest blogs. Taylor’s life won’t be easy as he has to live in this world but he knows he has a God and a family and a church family who love him and will keep him in their hearts.
He is a good young man, you and Lea have been devoted parents and I always knew he would be all right. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for God to let His son go but he did because he loves us so. Isn’t that mind boggling? gmj
I feel your pain and concern Dad as my son just graduated from H.S. and is now entering the college world. God bless Taylor for having the faith walk to take this step to A.I.M. and good job Mom and Dad.
It seems to belittle your experience to say, “Been there, done that” so I won’t … but I will tell you that some of the greatest joys of parenting come with the relationship of your children as peers! God’s blessing to you and Lea!
We need more parents that y’all. I agree that letting go is the hardest thing for parents. Also letting them make their own mistakes and letting them learn from them. I can’t imagine what y’all are going through right now…I am dreading next year when my oldest goes to Kindergarten…keep up the good work…steph
I love all your posts, but this one I refused to read. I do not want to think about my little girl and boy leaving yet.
My dad forgot about the arrow when getting remmaried and I haven’t seen him in 8 years!
Trey you did a great job at aiming him and Taylor is a good arrow. He is going to do great!!!
There is a poem that talks about children being like kites and everyday you let out a little string and then a little more string as they grow and mature. Eventually, you cut the string and allow them to live in the ways you taught them. And you allow them to trust in God as you trusted in God as you raised them. Like Hannah you’ve given Taylor to God.
Once again your blog brings tears to my eyes. Great post!
Trey I realized that God has already been taking care of our children all these years and just letting us think we are in control. I don’t envy you though brother. I have ten more years (Lord willing) until I send my oldest to College (unless I can convince him to go to school online!).
God Bless brother!