Roots and Wings

Our oldest daughter, Carolyn, started college August 23rd. She is our first to leave home. In my earlier devotional Be Bold In Who You Are I shared how we dealt with being the God fearing Christian woman she was raised to be not only at home and in church but also at school or any other place in this world where she might find herself. But today I will share how the parent gives their child both Roots and Wings.

I found peace in this ancient native saying: "a parent owes only two things to their child: roots and wings." Through out our daughter's childhood we were giving her the roots she needed to grow strong and endure throughout her life. BUT now on the doorsteps of her college campus we were about to get her wings. It was time to allow her to solo. Until now as she was taking test flights we'd been there to pick her up. Now it was her turn to do it on her own. Yes we will always be there for her but in a different way now.

Proverbs 22:6 tells us: "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." SO this is the roots we as parents give our child. Through out their childhood we are able to share our morals and beliefs with our children. We teach them both with our words and action. I've heard it also called: "being grounded in the faith." Even when they leave home they will remember their up bringing just as these verses promise and they won't depart from those teachings. YES I know they will some times test the limits and even appear to totally turn their backs on those teaching BUT they will return to them.

Jeremiah 17:7&8 tells us: "Blessed [is] the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and [that] spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit." By giving your child roots you have allowed them to prosper even in the hard times. It is these roots that the child will draw strength from through out life no matter what comes their way.

As a parent we have to draw our own strength from the knowledge that we did our job well in bringing our children up in a Christian home and having given them well grounded roots. We built the foundation for them to build on. Just as a tree once it has taken root continues to grow through different stages of life, our children also has to be allowed to move on in life. They can't remain a sapling but instead they have to be allowed to spread their branches and yield fruit. I know Carolyn will be that light on a hill that can't be hidden because of her up bringing.

I know it is sad to step back and watch as your child takes flight for the first time. BUT it is also a proud moment as you watch your little one soar as an eagle into the sky. Isaiah 40:31 "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint." What a wonderful promise!!! Once we give them their wings they will soar as eagles and not be weary.

It is a stressful time as we move from giving our children roots to giving them their wings. It is also a time old tradition that happens with each new school year. For us this is the first time we have experienced it first hand. It isn't easy. In a way those tears and feelings of sadness is a selfish reaction as it is really a time for celebration and joy as our child begins this new chapter in her life. There is a huge mixture of emotions.

Pray daily for your children. Especially now as Carolyn begins this new chapter in her life I try to pray more often for her. It comforts me to know God has His arms around her as she is soaring so high on her new found wings.