<o:p>A MOTHER'S LOVE AND LETTING GO</o:p>

<o:p>by Barbara Grady</o:p>

<o:p>     The moment our children are born we begin the most amazing journey, we become mothers.  It is an adventure filled with such love and such joy.  As we gaze into the eyes of our newborn babies, we know that our child is a true gift from God.</o:p>

<o:p>    Amongst the laughter and tears that fill the following years, a slow realization begins to form.  From the first scoot across the floor on their belly, the first hesitant step taken, to the first day of school, we see that these wondrous children are ours but for a time.  Every day we guide, teach, care for and love our children, hoping and praying that they will grow into strong, loving Christians.  With each year that passes we see their independance growing and with that comes something so difficult, the idea of one day, one day we will have to let go.</o:p>

<o:p>    Getting a driver's license, going on a date, going off to school...all of these things fill our minds and hearts with worry.  Will they remember all you had taught them?  Will their faith stay strong?  Will they be all right?</o:p>

<o:p>    From the moment our children walk out the door, we as Christian mothers need to turn to God.  He entrusted us with these precious gifts and now we must trust Him to be with them and watch over them.  Our children may not always choose the path we had hoped for and they will undoubtedly make mistakes, but we must be willing to let them grow from them, to let God use these times as a life lesson.  It is not easy to let go of a child you swore you to love and protect, it at times can feel as if your heart is being ripped from you, but we have to learn to put ourselves on the sidelines and allow God to work in our child's life.  He has a plan for them and we mustn't try to stand in the way because it is hard for us to accept.  Stop a moment and think of Mary.  She carried and gave birth to a wondrous baby boy.  She loved him and raised him as God had desired, but she too had to let him go.  I am sure her heart broke a thousand times over to witness what was happening to her son, but she could no more stop God's will for Him than she could stop the wind with her hand.</o:p>

<o:p>    Even though our children will grow up, move away and begin families of their own one day, we can always find peace in knowing that their heavenly Father is loving them and caring for them and that no matter how many years pass us by or how far they go, we will always be "mom" and allowing them to be who God wants them to be will never change that.</o:p>