Saying Good-bye and the Power of the Mundane

[](http://66.147.244.135/~brenday1/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/photo-flowers.jpg)**I'm sitting on my porch swing taking in the day I hope will never end. **The sun is on its way down to slip behind the trees in an hour or two. The flowers are bright around me and a breeze is on my cheek. The birds are singing, the cattle are walking to a cool place for shade. Another Sunday gone, another week comes to an end. **So predictable yet so different. **

This week my oldest son is graduating. Up until now things have been routine. **Days have been predictable like every season we've walked through.** Today as he shared in church, he reminisced on **things that have influenced him....**..*Sunday school teachers, youth leaders, the support he and his classmates have received in being part of a faith community.*

"**Being in a small town, there's accountability. Because if you mess up, everyone knows,**" he said. A doubled edged-sword in ways. My son declared it instrumental in helping him make choices growing up. There's value in everyone knowing your name.

Today's not quite the same as I sit on my front porch rocking to the low bellows of the hungry cows. **In the routine of [](http://66.147.244.135/~brenday1/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/photo-871.jpg)life, somewhere my boy became a man.** A man who has surrounded himself with friends who hold him accountable. **A man who has chosen to love God not because we said so, but because he has learned of His grace, faithfulness, and unconditional love**. A man who began walking out of my life years ago as I realized I needed to release him to be the leader God has called Him to be.

**This week we will celebrate, say good-bye, and let go.**

**Every mother releasing her son knows its different than releasing a daughter.** Somewhere along the way your role changes as you step aside to** let him grow and figure out who he is.** There are times to step back so he can develop strength. Times where **you have to be strong and push him into the storm so he can figure out how to survive,** all the while watching with a life raft ready at a moment's notice. Times where you must step back and let his father instruct and discipline. Times where you still touch his cheek with a kiss because he is still a little boy inside a man-size body. **Times where the best words are, "I'm proud of you."**

This boy has been a big brother, his sister's best friend, and a son who has **held me accountable when my actions or words did not match what I believed**. He has been the voice of reason when needed. In the ordinary and routine moments, he has grown into a man who is ready for the next step.

** I believe raising kids for moments like these lie in the mundane and routine, in the moments we live when we think no one is watching.** One thing this child and I know how to do is forgive, trust, and give second chances. ***Important moments for us have included the words, " Will you forgive me?"***

**I have two more boys to raise in mundane moments**. Six years from now, sitting on my porch swing, I will be saying good-bye to my last knight in the household. I'm reminded to not rush these days on or to close my eyes to what is ahead. **Each child God gives us is one to be fully seen and known.** They are kings and queens in the making, not for our glory, but for His.

*** I'll shed lots of tears this week*** along with other moms and dads celebrating the milestone of graduation. I'm thankful for each tear of joy, sorrow, and sadness along the way. **Each one a part of the process of releasing a child to fly, lead, and grow.**

** Don't miss the moments each day.** Let the wind blow on your cheek as the sun slips beyond the horizon. Read a book, sing a song. **Let your boy dazzle you with his charm or your girl snuggle in your arms**. Shed a tear, laugh out love, and kiss a cheek.

[](http://66.147.244.135/~brenday1/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/photo-86.jpg)
**And let the mundane and routine bring blessing when the last goodbye is said.**