Flying the Coop

Almost one week ago half of my heart left for a long road trip to Phoenix with no set plans on returning. He just said, “I will be home for the holidays.” While as parents we were and still are excited for Joshua. The whole point of raising children is so they can be independent. Letting go is such a struggle though. The first few days my emotions were a rollercoaster; happy sad, so so and sad again. I’ve always been a “hands on” Mom. The last driving day of his road trip I texted him to tell him I was saying extra prayers for an extra long day on the road. He texted me back saying “extra prayers yes please. Not extra texts,”. Knowing that he and his friend have reached their destination lifts the load and makes my heart feel lighter. He seems to be adjusting and happy.

Having an empty nest is a strange thing. It’s like I need to reinvent myself or find a new purpose Joshua and Ron told me to write another book. I told Josh and his friend Coleman they gave me lots of stories to write about but it would be counter productive. Josh said “ Do it! It would be a comedy!”. I said,” Not from a mothers perspective”. I do remember being that age though and sometimes experience is a very good teacher.

I’ve had some powerful times with the Lord since Joshua left almost a week ago. As I was looking in my notes on my iPad I came across one titled “On the Wall”. I had forgotten it was still on my iPad. When he was in his late teens we went though a rough patch with him. He stayed with his grandparents for a short time. While he was there we repainted his room so when he came home it would be a fresh start. Our friend Charles was doing the painting and I asked him if I could write scriptures on the walls first before he painted. Under the paint on Joshuas bedroom walls, I wrote scriptures that I pray over him. I put all those scriptures in a note on my iPad and revisited it this week praying the scriptures over Joshua again.

This week my scripture I am praying for him is 2 Thessalonians‬ ‭1:11‬ “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.” NIV

While he is on the other side of the country, I know God is right there with him. I’m so thankful for our Abba Fathers love for us. God is faithful always!

To read more about my story living with hearing and visual limitations check out my autobiography “Rooted by the Water”. Available on many online retailers such as : Amazon, Barnes &Noble, Books a Million, Target, Walmart and Westbowpress.com.

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