It was one of the few times I’ve seen him openly weep.
Moments before, my husband and I had watched our son walk through airport security, grab his military bags, and walk away. We stood there staring, hoping he’d look back so we could wave, but he kept on walking, strong, confident, ready to serve our country. We quietly turned around, unable to speak, and walked back to our car. Once we were seated, I put my hand on my husband’s shoulder, and we both began to cry. Minutes later, my husband prayed.
In that dark airport parking garage, we poured out our hearts to God, thanking Him for the gift of being our kids’ parents, acknowledging that our kids are His and asked Him to use them for His glory, to protect and guide them, and continue to draw them close to Himself. The peace the flooded our soul as we said ‘Amen’ was indescribable. That day, I learned that surrender and sacrifice, of any kind, can be worship to God.
Every parent has been there: the first step, first day of kindergarten, first time reading, first crush, first day of high school, first drive, first day of senior year, first job, first time moving away. These are moments that parents hold dear in their hearts.
These milestones are beautiful, important, and intensely capable of filling our souls with the confusing collection of joy and sadness, pride and fear, excitement and worry.
As you get ready for the upcoming milestone your children face, whether it’s packing their first lunch as they go to pre-school or buying dorm accessories as your child heads off to college, use these moments to once again surrender your child into the trustworthy Hands of our all-knowing, all-present, all-powerful God. This time of rededication, of sacrifice, of surrender is a powerful way to worship. Something unique happens when you take the time to acknowledge who God is, praise Him, and surrender to Him in the midst of the unknown.
It also serves as a reminder that if your child is in the care of our Heavenly Father, you don’t need to worry. He is a good God, and He will do His will in their lives. You can’t leave a time of worship unchanged. You will always walk away with peace and joy.
We drove away from the airport that morning, with tear-stained faces, but completely comforted in the knowledge that God is in control. As hard as it is to let go, it’s part of God’s plan, and to worship Him in the midst of it makes the milestone even more sweet.
Romans 12:4
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters,
in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,
holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God,
because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists
and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Together for GOOD 