New Territory, Instruction Needed

Laughter and revelry have filled my warm, cozy home for the last 27 days. Not so much more than any other passing of 27 days. Just sweeter somehow.

She was home again. My daughter. My “I’m a freshman in college” daughter. Who is more woman than girl now. Who is more reflective and forward looking now.

This is new territory for me. Territory I knew was coming, yet as with any challenging journey no matter how well prepared one thinks one is…there are surprises along the way.

“Mom…I am so happy. I love my friends and miss them so, so much.”  Smiling at that proclamation I silently wonder, has she said that to her friends about me? Probably not.

But that’s ok. That means I have done my job of mothering and preparing well.

I am propelled back to the three-year-old daughter, being dropped off in a new church classroom, the easy way she hugged me goodbye and bravely walked into a new room, not knowing a soul. She moved forward into that new territory bravely, I wondered why she forged on without even a glance backward.

Then, and now, I know it is because she is content wherever she is because she knows she is not alone. She has been taught that. By her father and me.

I hear her in her room when she chats with her Heavenly Father; I have seen journal entries she has chosen to share. I have seen serenity, peace and tranquility revealed when she puts pencil to sketch pad.

Still…there is that part of me that wants to hold on to the girl I was given and keep her all to myself.

Heavy sigh.

Oh what must my Heavenly Father have in store for this amazing daughter of mine? I pray He gives me the ability to face her future with as much grace and strength as she possesses.

A contented smile grows in gratefulness for the gift of motherhood and the well worn leather map that I use to chart the course each day – His word. Without it I’d be lost and lonely.