This past week we took our oldest daughter, Grace, to college. No one prepares you for this. It was awful and awesome all at the same time. Our family is really close, so I don’t think any of us were really ready for this moment. I know Grace will do great. I know she will make life-long friends, grow and become the leader God created her to be. I know college will be an amazing experience for her. But, I will still miss her, and she will still miss us.
Baylor University is a long way away. As we were making the drive, I kept thinking about little Grace dressed in her pink tutu. Going to her dance recitals, coaching her basketball games, and seeing her school plays. All these wonderful times when she was my little girl. Thinking about the incredible joy of baptizing her and then watching her lead at church and school. Now, here she is moving 700 miles away. Everything will be different going forward. While it will be different, it is also good, important, and necessary.
College is a rite of passage, whether it is a four-year school, a trade school or just moving out of your parent’s home. As you reflect on your own journey, I bet you can see this “18-year-old” time in your life as a defining moment. Therefore, as a parent, our goal is to help our kids launch well. Our goal is not simply to raise great kids but to raise godly adults.
Time marches on. Cherish every moment with your child. Life can be busy, but don’t miss what is really important. Embrace every phase of your child’s life. I remember the days of trying to rock Grace back to sleep at night. I remember the “Terrible Twos” and the potty training days. As challenging as each stage can be, slow down and take it all in. When people tell you it goes fast, it really goes fast. The days are long, but the years are short. Build a home and a family where it is hard for your child to leave, and you don’t want them to. Praise God for the past, but also embrace the incredible opportunities ahead.
Grace is ready. This is what made dropping her off even bearable. Grace is ready for a new challenge. She is mature and godly. I am so proud of her. Parents ask me often about elementary, middle, and high schools – public, private, or homeschool. To me, all are viable options. It really depends on your family and your child. But, even more, important than the school choice is having your child in church. Being grounded spiritually impacts everything for the rest of their life. I know Grace knows Jesus, loves and serves Him. She will face challenges in college and in the rest of her life, but I know she is rooted in Christ. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way they should go and when they are old they will not turn from it.” This is our calling as parents. And, I pray we all do this well.
I will never forget that moment. We returned to her dorm at about 10:30 pm. We had spent a long time setting up her room – comforters on her bed, lamps on her desk, pictures on her walls. We left for a while to eat dinner, meet some friends and play a game. When we pulled back up late that night, we knew this was the last time we would see her for a month. She was stepping out of the car and into the next chapter of her life. We pulled up to the sidewalk, and Lisa, Grace, and I sat in silence for a minute. A few tears. And, then Grace said, “Just give me a hug
and tell me you love me.” So, we did. We stepped out of the car, gave her hugs, and told her we loved her – and we will always love her. She held onto us for a minute and then turned and walked to the door. She didn’t look back but walked inside her dorm room and the rest of her life began.
God, take care of my little girl. She was Yours first, and I know you love her even more than I do. Always let her know she is loved and use her in a mighty way for Your glory. Thank you for Grace. Thank you for all the great experiences that lie ahead for her. Go, Grace! Live your life for the glory of your great God! Be strong and courageous. The Sovereign God of the Universe truly loves you, and so does your earthly daddy. I’m so proud of you!