Motherhood: The Freedom Of Not Being EnoughChikamu

My Kids Don’t Need Me

I can’t remember the last time I washed her hair with the raspberry-scented shampoo. I don’t know when goodnight story-time became, “Read your book and turn off the lights in ten minutes.” I don’t even recall the last time I took them to a park and watched them play in the sandpit with shovels and mini front-loaders.

As the days lengthen to years, our kids need us less and less. When my kids were younger, I couldn’t wait for this supposed freedom – to finally have my own time and space.  

Now that it’s here, I long for the days when my kids needed me more.

But this is how it’s supposed to be.

We can’t hold on to our kids forever. We can’t bubble wrap them and mark them as fragile. We can’t always fight their battles for them.

But we can point them to Jesus.

Our kids have the freedom to find God only when we let go and let them discover Him for themselves.

I’m slowly overcoming my need to hold on to them — so they have the chance to fall into the arms of the One who won’t ever let go.

I’m overcoming my need to fight their battles for them — so that they can trust that if God is for them, who can be against them?

I’m overcoming my need to interfere in their every decision — so they learn to face consequences and learn that God works everything out for their good and His glory.

My kids don’t need me. And that’s okay. As long as they always need Jesus. 

Lean In

Father, it seems like day by day my kids need me less and less. Sometimes, it’s hard to acknowledge. It’s hard not to be needed as much. But help me always point my children to You. You are the only One who can be their all sufficiency through life’s unknowns. Help me joyfully release them to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.