Greetings, Dear Friends!
And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way.
Each month I give away a $10.00 gift card to someone who posts on my blog. So leave a comment, share a story or insight, bless lots of people, and maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend.
Now on to my topic.
What is God doing in your life these days?
That's a question we often asked our boys during their growing up years. In fact, we still pose the question from time to time.
One of the things I love about God is that He is always working. He is always up to something. The Bible says that daily the heavens pour forth speech and there is no language where His voice is not heard (See Psalm 19). God is always after an increase in our lives. He wants to bring us from strength to strength, from glory to glory. He's moving and He wants us to move with Him.
When I consider my own life, I see movement all around me. As you can see from the picture above, my youngest son Jordan just graduated from high school.
And in a couple of weeks, my middle son Luke will marry the love of his life. Our house is quieter than it has ever been. I just finished writing a book that'll release in October, and I just started another book which will release next March (kind of like having a baby, but not really). Amidst all of this change, I'm going through the painful letting go syndrome common to moms of boys. You've heard it said, "A daughter is one that you'll have for life, but a son is only a son until he takes a wife."
A fellow author friend of mine (also a mom of three boys) once shared these wise words with me: Prepare yourself for the day when your boys get married. It's a drastic adjustment. You go from having the starring role in their lives, to having a bit part. You go from being their number one to being number five, just behind the family pet. For those of us who have been super involved in our son's lives, it's a tough adjustment but one every healthy mother of boys needs to make.
I'm telling you, with one son living in Nashville, one son about to get married, and another very busy with life and quite taken with his girlfriend, I'm feeling that surprising ache in my heart.
On one hand, I'm so happy for all of them. This is the stuff of life. But their absence reveals another place in my heart for God to fill. And I'm expectant for Him to do just that.
What I do love about this next stage of life, is the extra time I get to spend with Jesus. I take my time praying, reading, and journaling. My heart is at rest because I have the time and the space to cultivate such a thing. I also love the extra time with my husband, Kevin.
Even so, as I move into this next season of life, I know I have to let go of the 'mom who takes care of her sons' role, and move into the 'mom who intercedes, loves, and supports' her sons and their future wives.
In this transitional stage of life, I'm reminded afresh of how steady and sturdy and faithful God really is. He is moving and I want to move with Him to the next places of promise He has for me.
So what about you?
What new thing is God doing in you, around you, and through you? How are you handling it?
Let's do this together!
Have a blessed week~
PS ~ If you haven't signed up for my (free) quarterly E-zine, you might want to. A number of my author friends give away copies of their books, you'll get a devotional from me, some great book recommendations from me, a couple of great quotes, and a prayer to send you on your way. The next issue comes out mid-July. Click on the link below to sign up:
Doreen,
You are right. God meets us at every turn and transition in life. When we stop clinging to the past and open our hands to the future, God fills us with good things (and He renews our youth like the eagle's). :) Bless you!
Posted by: Susie Larson | July 02, 2009 at 06:16 PM
Wow, Lynn,
I've been WAY behind on my blog posts! I'm sorry to read that your daughter needed surgery. You are really in a season of transitions! But if I know you, you'll walk through these situations like you walk through everything else, with honor and with grace. You are a might woman of faith, and with the Lord at your side, you will NOT be shaken. Bless you, friend.
Posted by: Susie Larson | July 02, 2009 at 03:44 PM
Dear Kathy,
It sounds like we're in the same stage of life! Luke and Kristen's wedding was especially sweet and we thoroughly enjoyed the day. These are precious times; especially when we stay in step with Jesus. Blessings to you!
Posted by: Susie Larson | July 01, 2009 at 04:33 PM
Congrats to Jordan on his graduation and Luke's upcoming marriage!! I'm single, no kids of my own but I can imagine how hard it must be for you to let go and let God take control of all of these circumstances. It's good that you can take advantage of these moments and make more time for God!
Posted by: Doreen | June 29, 2009 at 02:30 PM
Anna,
What a wonderful daughter-in-law you are! And what a great mother-in-law you have. You are blessed indeed. May God bless you abundantly as you look for the next place to call home. Peace to you!
Posted by: Susie Larson | June 22, 2009 at 05:14 PM
Dear Jill,
Thank you for your kind words regarding "The Uncommon Woman" -- We are so thankful for the many testimonies we've received as a result of that book. God is on the move! I would love it if you would post a review on Amazon. Thanks so much!
Be blessed~
Posted by: Susie Larson | June 20, 2009 at 02:09 PM
Theresa,
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your insights and wisdom. It's a great blessing to hear from those who have gone before us. May God bless you with many grandchildren! Peace to you~
Posted by: Susie Larson | June 20, 2009 at 01:49 PM
Hi Susie,
Long time no talk! I miss you. I could totally relate to your post of last week and this week. My summer has become somewhat crazy with transition and challenge. My oldest, Dana, is getting married on August 15th to the love of her life...so very busy with showers, planning, etc. I know you understand about all of that. She graduated college on May 9th and is job hunting, as well as her and her fiance buying their first home. Dan and I are making the transition into finding a new church home after 17 years, and this has proved to bring deeper pain than imagined at times and also very sweet times as well. Overall, I see God's hand in this journey and experience His faithful goodness. My youngest daughter, Lindy, has a benign tumor on her thyroid which has nearly doubled in size in the past 3 months. We were told this week that she requires surgery, and yes, before the wedding. We will have a surgical consult Monday. She is in college summer school, entering Bradley University this fall as a junior. So this will be tough to go through and hopefully get healed up by August for the wedding. I would covet prayers for her. Through all of this, one thing remains, that God is a sovereign, loving, faithful Father with strength for each day, and then some. I am resting in this and thankful for His tender voice and trusting His timing. I know He will provide all of our needs. Keeping my eyes up, where hope abounds! I will pray for your summer full of transition, too. Love you, Lynn
Posted by: Lynn F. | June 18, 2009 at 09:37 AM
Susie, since I am preparing for our daughter's wedding on Sept 4th, I have not been on my computer much. Your words have refreshed me tonight (both this post and the more recent one on obedience)
My oldest (daughter) is marrying, and I have watched her fiance's mother cling tightly, and hinder his freedom in some ways. Fortunately he has broken away gradually, and it has gone well.
Life as a mother of the bride is very busy. Especially since we will be having the wedding on our farm.
My son is 17 and has his first girlfriend. We are also having to plan to look @ colleges this summer, so like you, I am nearing the empty nest time, and have been pondering the same things and going over the past with grateful heart.
My marriage is actually getting closer. We are taking more time to enjoy one another again.
God is good. Bless you as you walk in the new phase of your journey!
Here is a little post on "my life lately" w/ pics of the kids (just in case you want to look =D)... http://blessedbuilder.blogspot.com/2009/05/my-life-lately.html
Posted by: Kathy S | June 17, 2009 at 09:47 PM
Dear Leanne,
Thanks for stopping by! And congratulations on the wedding. :) I'm thankful that your daughter in law is God's wonderful choice for your son. I'm grateful to be able to say the same. My son's wife-to-be is a real treasure. She loves Jesus and loves my son. These are changing and wonderful times! Blessings to you!
Posted by: Susie Larson | June 12, 2009 at 05:00 PM
Hi Susie, Interesting topic, considering (as most know) I recently got married in December to the youngest son of four children, the last to get married and the closest to his parents, especially his mom.
I have always known that letting go was a difficult, emotional transition-- but it's so interesting to hear the other side of it, which I have never heard before. I'm so very blessed to have a wonderful MIL, who embraces & loves me as her very own daughter (which I thoroughly enjoy, so much so that we're actually moving in with them for the summer while we house hunt).
So while difficult, my husband's mother and I have found a wonderful friendship- and the two of us (w husbands) have found ways to do things together & have fun (especially now that they are retired). I never would have imagined a transition that is difficult, turn out so beautifully!
Posted by: Anna K. | June 12, 2009 at 02:11 PM
Susie, Glad to hear the poem spoke to you. A friend had read your post and asked if I saw your comment, I hadn't, but am thankful I came back.
And while I'm here I wanted to mention I'm thankful I've started reading your Uncommon Woman book - I'm only a couple chapters in and I'm looking forward to what God reveals to me. I've heard you at Hearts at Home and this past March at Set Apart, so I can basically hear you as I read your words!! I also have a CD of one of your talks and as my first book, which is self-published is being printed right now, your story serves as an inspiration for me in more ways than one. Thanks for sharing and blessings to you, Jill
Posted by: Jill | June 12, 2009 at 07:13 AM
Hi there gals! I am a mother of 3 grown sons now. 2 of the 3 are now married to wonderful women. I have had to go thru many stages. Empty nest, getting them married, and now realizing they share everything with their wife. I have always been close to them. So now to release them and trust the Lord to guide them is both a tough thing and yet a blessing. Watching them evolve evermore into incredible men of God is such a blessing - (especially after all the hard years!) Wait till you see the payoff! It will bless your socks off! and wait til you see how they raise their own. I am amazed and in awe of God's hand in their lives.
Posted by: Theresa Mancuso | June 11, 2009 at 07:03 PM
Oh, my goodness, Jill, I was tempted to copy your whole post (poem and all) and put it here for all to read! I loved the poem and I really loved your insights. What a great friend you are! For those who are visiting and reading these posts, I encourage you to pop over to Jill's blog (address above) and read her post. It's excellent. Blessings to you all!
Susie
Posted by: Susie Larson | June 10, 2009 at 09:44 AM
Stephanie,
Wise words indeed! I think that's the best thing you can do. Thoroughly embrace and enjoy your time with your son now, and continually ask for wisdom as you raise him to leave you and cleave to his wife. This morning I stumbled across this verse and I pray it for all of our visitors today:
"May the Lord give you increase more and more, you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord who made heaven and earth." --Psalm 115:14-15
Peace to you!
Posted by: Susie Larson | June 10, 2009 at 09:37 AM
Susie,
I can relate. I just married off my only son this past Saturday. It was a beautiful day filled with a mix of emotions. But I do rest in the comfort of knowing he has married the woman God picked out for him. I have maintained that through every time I have to let go, I simply let God. I will pray for you and the upcoming marriage, enjoy every moment of it!!
Leanne
Posted by: Leanne Anderson | June 10, 2009 at 09:24 AM
Hi Susie, Great words and they hit me as I watched a friend and mentor let her little man (well if you can call a 23 year old that?) go this past Saturday. We had talked alot about that concept in the month leading up to the wedding and though my son is 6 it really had me thinking. I put a poem together for her and have posted it on my blog if you want to take a look - http://titus24u.blogspot.com/2009/06/looking-ahead.html, I will be praying for you in this time of transation and I too expect God will use it in mighty ways.
Blessings,
Jill
Posted by: Jill | June 10, 2009 at 09:18 AM
The thought of letting my son go when he's grown has been on my mind a lot lately, and he's only 8. Lord, grant me the strength to do it. Yesterday, Matt gave me a bunch of little kisses on the cheek. I told him thanks and how sweet I thought that was. He said, "Mom, I'm always gonna give you kisses like that." I want to enjoy this season of parenting while keeping an eye on the next season too.
Posted by: Stephenie | June 10, 2009 at 08:25 AM