Because God Totally Has You (a #TellHisStory)

It would be pin-drop silent here if not for the click-clicking of a nail gun from a neighbor's porch construction. It's been an incredible summer, but it marched onward, as it does. And today is the first day of a new school year.

Oh, the peace and serenity of laying down my Momma hat for a few hours and finding myself again. What do I do first? And as I ponder this, I think about how difficult this morning was and I taste the bittersweetness of this child-free moment.

In what can only be described as God's wonderful sense of humor, our two children remarkably demonstrate the personality characteristics of the opposite gender parent. That means my son, takes after me (bless his heart).

Yes, I have genetically passed down my introverted nature, my love of the comfort and safety of home, and a desire to avoid transitions and change.

I can remember the swells of anxiety when I was a child anytime I was forced to leave the comfort of my family. And I see it now, when I look into the sad eyes of my son as the inevitable school day approaches.

Last night, we were in survival mode determined to stave off a meltdown and this Bible verse from Deuteronomy 31:8 became the inspiration for a "pep talk" on how God totally has him.

"The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you. He will never leave you. Do not be afraid."
  
Anxiety breeds in the unknown, which is why going into middle school feels so intimidating. No amount of planning or preparing can guarantee what will meet him as he steps through those double doors. But we don't have to be afraid.

Wherever we go, we can trust that He has prepared the way and will provide what we need when we get there. It may not always look like we imagined it. And there are often obstacles encountered along the way.

What a story God is weaving in this eleven year-old's heart as he learns how to step out in faith, with courage.

As a new walker, my son asked me to walk with him to school this morning. Originally, he wanted me to take him all the way to the front doors. But as we approached the crosswalk leading to the school's parking lot he looked at me and said, "maybe I can go the rest of the way myself. It might be harder to leave you at the door." And off he went, just him with Him.

I wrestled with the emotions of that moment and through tear-filled eyes, I let him go.

God totally has him.



Linking today with Jennifer at: