Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

There are some things in life that you’re never ready for… no matter how much time you’ve had to prepare for them.

• The loss of a family pet
• The death of a loved one
• Saying goodbye to someone you love

This week, our family dropped off our son for his freshman year of college in sunny Pensacola, FL.

There’s something very satisfying about seeing our son enter this new season of life…

• We’ve prepared him for the last 18 years for this moment
• He’s grown up into a fine and godly young man
• Pursuing God’s call upon his life makes us proud

I’m reminded of Psalm 127:4… As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

In many ways, this is an exciting time. We have raised him to release him. And the time has come.

But there is also something very humbling and surreal about your child leaving home. It’s bitter-sweet really…

• It’s a unique milestone with no turning back
• 18 years of hard work, fervent prayer, and intentional investment. Now we trust God with the outcome.

As a parent, I’m not sure we’re ever fully prepared for these things. But I have to remember that these are the kind of moments we hope for, we pray for, and we live for.

Like a runner crossing the finish line, this is the moment we’ve been preparing him for all his life.

We’ve pulled back on the bow, it’s time to release the arrow and let go.

Because this arrow was never given to us to stay in the quiver, but to release into the world. We raise them to release them.

Letting go is hard. But that’s the nature of life’s seasons. God is always preparing you for the next season of His goodness.

If you still have children at home, be reminded today that they are each arrows in your quiver, but only for a time and a season. Letting go is your ultimate goal. You’re raising them to release them.

How could this reminder practically impact what you do in your home this week?

Andrew Linder is a husband, the father of four awesome kids, and a children’s pastor at a thriving church. He is the founder of GodlyParent.com and is passionate about intentional parenting and helping other parents and leaders effectively reach the next generation. He is also the author of the new book, Godly Parenting In An Ungodly World: How to raise not just good but godly kids through heart-driven grace-based parenting.

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