Here we go again. Kids scattered around the country.
Last night Larry and I drove off from Clemson University with an empty U-Haul and without our youngest.
Year two of our empty nest begins. Tweet Tweet.
Every time one of our children flies away, I turn to prayer.
This year I’m turning to prayer and my friend Edie Melson’s new book, While My Child is Away: My Prayers For When We Are Apart.
Edie’s book is a beautiful healing balm and great reminder of the power we hold in our prayer-clasped hands to affect our children’s lives.
Our prayers make a difference whether they sleep in the room at the top of the stairs or lay their heads down 4,677 miles away.
Take a Peek Inside:
While My Child Is Away:
My Prayers For When We Are Apartby Edie Melson
Three days after I signed the contract for this book, two of my sons went for an afternoon kayak trip on a nearby river. They are fully grown and capable young men—one served in the military and the other has a degree in outdoor leadership. They’re both married, are not novices about the outdoors or about life in general. As experienced outdoorsmen, they don’t ever take unnecessary chances. So the confidence I have in their ability isn’t misplaced. Even with that, I felt a momentary battle of what-if when they told me about their proposed outing. Instead of voicing my fears, I told them to have fun and took my motherly worries to the One who can ensure their safety.
The next day I found out just how close I’d come to losing both sons.
They’d been on the river when a strong thunderstorm moved in with unusual speed https://pharmacieinde.fr/produit/levitra. Immediately they headed to shore, but never made it to safety. They woke up three and a half hours later. Both were in the river, separated from their boats and each other. One son was caught on a snag in the middle of the river, the other was lying half-in and half-out of the water on the shore. After they’d found each other—a harrowing ten minutes later, they’d assured me—they assessed the injuries they’d sustained and realized they’d been struck by lightning.
While both are fine, with no lasting damage, this once again reinforced the fact that we never know when our children are headed into a dangerous situation. Whether our kids are headed to first grade, camp, college, or just a day at play, we need to be praying for them. Not just general, “God, please protect my child” prayers, either. We need to invest in a solid set of knee pads and be ready to do battle for them on a daily basis.
That’s what this book is about.
Any time our children are away from us can be a time of anxiety. We can’t always help the emotions that accompany specific situations, but we can always take those emotions to the One who will provide the protection they need and the peace we crave.
Praying for You
If your child is away, I know how you feel.
If you have something specific you want me to pray, leave a comment or email me. I’m honored to pray for you and your child(ren).
Maybe you’ll want to pray this prayer I prayed last night as Larry and I drove off with our empty Uhaul:
Dear Lord, I thank You for Your faithfulness to my child.
Thank You that You’ll never leave her side.
Lord, I pray she feels Your strong presence even in the most stressful of days.
Draw her so close to You that she can sleep peacefully each night — even the night before exams.
Amen
[bctt tweet=”Is your child away? Learn how to best pray! #Stop2Pray #Pray4MyChild @EdieMelson” username=”jeanwilund“]
My son leaves for NGU next weekend for his Junior year. Not to be sappy, but “they grow up fast”. He’ll be 21 in November. A man. He is looking forward to going back to school — not hesitant about leaving home at all, which makes it easier for us. I have heard the saying The evidence of good parenting is raising an independent adult. I’m one very proud momma.
I am already subscribed to your blog — thank you!
Sounds like a book I need! I’ll order one. Please enter me for the Survival Kit. I am a subscriber, Jean.
Wonderful! You’re going to love this book, Jean. You’re officially entered. 🙂 And thanks so much for being a subscriber! I truly appreciate it. Blessings!
You are so right, Cathy. They grow up crazy fast. When my oldest turned 9, I asked my mom if the next 9 years would go as fast, and she said, “Oh no! Much faster!” She was so right. But I love your quote. Larry and I must be incredibly good parents, because we’ve raised three very independent adults. haha! Thanks for being a subscriber. You’re entered into the drawing. Yay!
I have this book and LOVE IT! With two of my three kids out of the house, these prayers have come in so handy. Even as a Bible lovin’ mama, I am at a loss for how to pray at times. I can open this handy book and viola! I find a wonderful, heartfelt prayers. Thanks for sharing this with your readers.
I had an experience with my sons almost like the sons in the story. One of my sons fell into the lake where there was a deep undertow. He popped up a quarter mile away from the boat. This son was going down for the third time, when my other son who could not start the boat dived in with a life preserver and swam to his brother. Needless to say he saved his brother, swam back and started the boat taking all safely home. As all this happened, God spoke to my heart. Your children are out on the lake. He spoke this several times so I knew I needed to pray. Thanks to my God for saving my children.
Yes, Beckie! Edie’s prayers speak to so many areas we parents need to pray. Thanks for your testimonial! 🙂
Wow! What a powerful story and reminder of how important it is for us to listen when God’s nudges us to pray. I’m so glad your sons are both fine. I’m celebrating with you! Whoo Hoo! Thanks for sharing your story.
I just dropped my daughter off at Mercer University today! It’s her first day and our first to go to college, through the tears we prayed together and just wished we had more time, but the time had come. I love Edie and got to know her at the Blue Ridge Writers Conferences last year. This sounds like just the book I need!
I’ve dropped off three children for their first day of college and it doesn’t get any easier. It feels like part of me is missing when I leave them, but prayer has made all the difference — and Edie’s book is just the right prayer partner. You’ll love the book. By the way, I was at BRMCWC last year, too! Thanks for commenting! You’re entered in the drawing! 🙂