Genesis 12:1 "The Lord said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.’"
July 22, 1979 was the day a little baby girl named Katie Melissa Paul was placed in my arms. I can remember that day just like it was yesterday, and what a wonderful day it was. I was the most important person in her life. She would light up each time I came in the room. I am not thinking I was all that; I think it had more to do with being the supplier of her nourishment.
The minute our children are born, they are taking tiny steps to learn to be independent of us. We in turn love them and sacrifice everything we have for them, not for any other reason but because we love them more than we love ourselves. They are our world. Eventually these children grow up and leave us. I watched my oldest daughter walk down the aisle into the arms of a man whom she chose to spend the rest of her life with. We were no longer the most important persons in her life. We let her go to lead the life God had planned for her. Over eighteen years ago I had to let Katie Melissa go into the arms of our Lord. Just like Abram she had to leave her country, her people and her father’s house, to see the land of the Lord.
Life is a series of relationships being stripped and rebuilt. To build new relationships, old ones need to change. This is true even as our children grow. The marriage of my oldest daughter has brought a more mature interaction between us. I also have a new son-in-law and grandbaby that have blessed my life. My relationship with Katie is alive through my relationship with the Lord. I am living my life in a way I know would make her proud.
We gave birth to these children and watched them grow, and there is a time when we have to let them go and lead their lives. That is what we raised them to do. Some are leading their lives here on earth and others are continuing their lives in heaven.
Lord, we thank You for the gift of our children; it is so hard to let them go, but they have their own destiny separate from our lives.
-- Michele
