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Today's Woman to Woman topic is: "Share an important quote and what it means to you."
This week's topic is tough because there are so many wonderful quotes to choose from. I write the ones that are meaningful to me in a small notebook that I keep beside my bed, and this little book has proven to be a record of the stages of my life. If I look closely, I can see a pattern.
These days my heart leans heavy towards reflecting on what it means to be a mother. My first child has left the home and another is soon to make her own way, and while this has been the whole purpose of the parenting experience, believe me when I say that there is nothing that feels natural about letting your children go--at least that has been my experience so far.
"Making the decision to have a child - it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking outside your body." - Elizabeth Stone
This quote states in words what I feel everyday. My daughter is an adventurer and she is not one to sit around and be bored. Not only is this disconcerting to me, but it is also an exercise in trusting God.
Tomorrow she leaves for Africa. My mind tends to wander to all of the bad things that could happen while she is there knowing that I will not be close-by to take care of her. Only my prayers will be able to shield her, unlike her earlier days when I shielded her physically on more than one occasion. A mother's heart has only the best in mind for her kids and whatever hurts their child, mentally or physically, cuts deep into the mother's life as well. I am finding that the older my children get, the more tender my heart is becoming.
Gone are the days when I was completely in control of my daughter's welfare, but my mommy heart still yearns to protect and care for her. She is my baby. How I have managed to be a part of raising such an amazing young woman is beyond me, it is truly a gift of God's grace.
So tomorrow she goes. And I will pray.
"Lord, please keep my girl safe and under the shadow of Your wings, the true place of peace and safety for both of us."
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