Cutting the Apron Strings – Strand by Painful Strand

Well today I had the pleasure of hosting a dear friend and her boys (sans her oldest, who was working as a painter’s apprentice for the first time today) for a end of summer pool "play date", for lack of a better term.  This dear woman was in the homeschool support group I joined when I began this home education journey in 1999 and has been a beacon of wisdom for me ever since.  We never tire of talking about our homeschooling, our families, etc.  Much of our conversation today centered around the steps we are taking to allow our eldest children (in my case, a 15 year old daughter and in her case, a 14 year old son) to grow into mature, productive, God-fearing, God-loving adults AND the challenge of dealing with our own emotions that accompany those steps.  It seems just yesterday that we were "co-op"ing (a homeschooling term that basically means a shared learning group where the parents take turns planning and teaching the lessons) these little ones – grades 1 & 2.  We thought it was all so important.  Every lesson had to be meaningful and academic.  And now here we are with these same young people, who are beginning grades 9 & 10 this year.  As we watch our oldest babies "take flight", I am filled with a mirade of feeling – fear, pride, disbelief, joy, the list goes on and on…  I find that it is only my faith in God’s love, protection, and providence that keeps me sane and peaceful as I watch my daughter change from a girl to a woman before my very eyes.  Thank You Lord for Your faithfulness.  I ask for Your continued protection for my family, for wisdom for my husband and I as we guide these blessings from childhood to adulthood, and for Your continued peace as we slowly cut the apron strings – strand by painful strand.