When life overwhelms us, we must make hard decisions most prefer to avoid. This often includes parenting. On the one hand, our moms will always be our moms. On the other hand, the role comes with times of transition. Certain rites of passage are essential and must occur. Moms must shift into letting go. While a few moms abandon, many moms become overprotective. The comedian, Sam Levenson, said on his first day of school, his overprotective mom told the teacher not to punish him if he misbehaved. Instead, the teacher should punish the child sitting next to Sam because, “My little boy learns best by example.” Moses’ mother had little choice. Had she clung to her son; Pharaoh would have him killed. Though incredibly painful, she made the responsible choice to let him go. She entrusted her infant to God’s care. Hannah let Samuel go; Elizabeth let John go; Mary did the same with Jesus. The nurture of a mom is enormously important in shaping her child. While exceptions may exist for special needs, we raise children to let them go to find their own call and place. Letting go doesn’t mean we don’t care; it means we can’t live our kids’ lives for them. We cannot control them. Their outcome is not in our hands. They must learn to face their own reality. Letting go is not fear-based but views the future with optimism and opportunities to grow. We support, affirm, trust and believe in our kids; but we must also release them to the Lord. Our kids aren’t really ours; they belong to the Lord. - Pastor Tom Harrison