I knew it was coming but it still hit me like a sledgehammer—today was the airport goodbye with my youngest heading back to University. It seems like 5 minutes ago I was ecstatic with a full heart picking him up from that airport ready for a l-o-n-g summer at home. But in a flash, it’s over and I failed miserably at holding it all together as we bid him farewell until Christmas. So I’m here to pass a Kleenex and grab hands with whoever needs a little mom-encouragement today…
“Motherhood is a million little moments that God weaves together with grace, redemption, laughter, tears and most of all, love.” -Lysa Terkeurst
This is, in fact, my TENTH year saying goodbye to a child as they head to Uni and it simply does not get any easier. Sigh. The airport is my own personal emotional roller coaster. It sees me at my best and at my worst. It delivers my joy to me fresh off the plane and then pulls it away again in a backward glance and a wave en route to security.
Can you tell I literally just arrived home? It’s a painfully quiet house right now with just the English bulldog and a bar of chocolate for company. So now I have a choice: wallow in my grief and search out extra chocolate, or turn to the One who knows EVERYTHING about loving my children and loving me…
“We soon discover that just as God is using us to grow our children — God is using motherhood to grow us.” Ruth Schwenk
Motherhood is a constant learning curve, no matter what age your children are. I wrote recently HERE about being a mom forever and how we need God’s wisdom and strength in every season. But I realize that in order to encourage others—encourage you—I need to put my money where my mouth is, so to speak…
On my early-morning walk (before the airport meltdown) as I was listening to Annie F Downs’ “That Sounds Fun” podcast, she interviewed the amazing Jennifer Rothschild. The whole thing was encouraging and inspirational but the end hit me hard when Jennifer spoke of the importance of “living the reality of what you teach—and experiencing it.”
As I was walking, fretting about the upcoming airport goodbye, and listening to this part of the conversation, I felt convicted. You see, a couple of weeks ago, my husband and I shared at church about God’s faithfulness through the seasons of life (you can check it out HERE if you feel so inclined.) I absolutely believe God is faithful always. I really do. He’s shown it over and over in my own life.
But those poignant words Jennifer said in the podcast are now playing on repeat in my mind. I know He is faithful, I believe He is faithful, and now I get to experience it in the present. I get to drink deeply from the well of His faithfulness in this moment of mom-heartache knowing He goes before my boy and will be with Him every step of the way. And that He will soothe my soul in the process. What a gift!
And you get to drink from that well of faithfulness, too, friend. Whether you have a child who has just left for college, is getting married, is starting high school, or skipping into kindergarten. Know that His love is all-encompassing:
“How enduring is God’s loyal love; the Eternal has inexhaustible compassion.
Here they are, every morning, new! Your faithfulness, God, is as broad as the day.”
God sees us and He knows our hearts and feels our pain.
God is very present in our heartache.
He’s with our kids and He’s with us… even in the airport goodbyes.
I’m preaching to myself when I say—let’s take Him at His Word and experience His inexhaustible compassion and His unchanging faithfulness by bringing it all before Him today!
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Linking up with some fabulous encouragers! Check them out:
Hi Laura,
Your old Francis Road neighbour here!
Thank you for your honesty and sharing. I can so identify with this having said goodbye at the airport last year when Elspeth headed off to South Korea. I held it all together but only by the grace of God as my daughter sobbed going through the departure gate finally realising the enormity of what she was undertaking! 6 months later we met her off the plane…and I lost it, relief, thankfulness..yes but most of all the realisation that this was the beginning of those separations that mark transition to adult life!
We’ve had a rollercoaster of a year but when the chips are down we pray and simply say “God’s got this!”
Living in faith is often easier than sharing it and I am so uplifted and encouraged by your honest sharing of your feelings and your struggles (I know everyone has their struggles but you always look so perfect! 😄💕)
I’m praying that the Lord will continue to use you and bless you abundantly as you seek to follow and serve him faithfully in all that you do.
Keep writing and sharing!
Blessings
Deb R
PS I think your youngest looks so like Lyndon!! Handsome chap!!
😊
Deb—its SO good to hear from you! 🤗 And thank you for your kind words… they mean a lot to me. You’re absolutely right, that first farewell marks a new season, new adventures, and plenty of praying! It doesn’t get any easier but we have a Heavenly Father with fathomless love and grace to see us through it all. Much love to you, Pete, and Elspeth! 💖 And yes, Jacob is a chip off the old block!
I came across this while doing a search because my daughter is leaving in a week for Central Asia, and will be gone for a year. I don’t know how to say goodbye for that long…I’ve anticipated this for months, and have much peace about her going, but have known that it would be hard. I don’t necessarily hate airports, but whenever we are close to O’Hare Airport in Chicago and I see the air traffic, I cringe a little. To top it all off, my youngest left for college 2 weeks ago, and while she worked at a camp most of the summer, it’s just different not having her less than an hour away. I have inundated myself with mom-guilt over what I could’ve/should’ve done. Then a bit of panic set in today – What should I be doing in these last days before my middle one leaves?? She has been at home all summer with me, full-time support-raising – and while I am grateful for the time, I question whether or not I should have been making more meaningful use of our time together. Thank you for sharing part of your path that so many of us have in common!
Oh Rebecca, my heart breaks for you! Trust me, my husband and I have done the “we should have said/ been/ done more…” guilt thing with all 3 of our kids as they have left the nest. It achieves nothing! But I understand where you’re coming from. 🤗 The best we can do (in my humble opinion) is be there for them when they are under our roof and when they are miles away. Be available for those phone calls and skypes and texts. It will mean the world. Let them know how proud you are and that you will be praying. That you will always be MOM. We don’t have to do it in our own strength, friend. God walks us through every season. Blessings to you!
Then the grandchildren come and the process of watching them grow up and letting them go repeats itself!
Oh my, Elizabeth! Yes, there is that season, too! 🤗 Sending you hugs…
So beautiful and sad and funny …… I’m riding that rollercoaster with you dear sister!!!! Xxx
Aww thanks so much, Heid! 🤗 I know you’re with me on the ride and I’m squeezing your hand tight! 💖 Lots of love…
Wow! This was a heart wrenching post about motherhood, and all of its blessings. Thank you so much for sharing!
My pleasure to share, Anglea. 🤗 The blessings outweigh the heartache every time! Thanks so much for stopping by…