My role is to promote independence, not dependence.
This is crucial because one day, I will not be around. My job is to get my children ready to stand on their own—to not need me, so much. And yet this sometimes feels horribly wrong, doesn’t it? Hovering over our kids can actually keep them from reaching their full potential.
Despite my anxiety Will had an awesome adventure, eating freeze-dried foods, camping in state and national parks, surviving thunderstorms and even his first sandstorm. A security guard searched his car for bombs at Hoover Dam. He met a wonderful family in Yosemite, who invited him to stay in their home for a few days. Even now, he stays in touch with them.
Will arrived in Northern California totally worn out and much wiser. At the end of the summer he made the 2,000-mile trek home alone, too. It was a defining summer in his life and he ended up making good choices and a lot of good friends along the way.
We took this picture when Will returned. I was relieved; he was empowered. Was it the right decision to let him go? Who knows? I’ve let it go.
If you feel like the worst mother ever, remember you have choices. Choose truth. Peace. Gratitude. Choose to love your children well, trusting God to help you each step of the way.
Photo credit: @acroblund
May Patterson has been writing and teaching biblestudy classes for years. Her new book, “Seeking a Familiar Face,” was birthed from a Bible study she wrote in 2014 called “A Time to Seek.” She was trained in small group dynamics for over ten years at Bible Study Fellowship, serving as a leader for four years. She has written for several magazines including Focus on the Family, Upper Room Magazine and iBelieve, among others. She is married to her dear friend, Mike, and they have three grown children. She loves to tell stories, laugh, and talk about the adventure of seeking God. For more information, visit http://www.maypatterson.com.