airport drop offs

I felt another cutting-of-the-cord detachment as I walked away from my frequent-flyer child at the airport security line early this morning. The lady at check-in hadn't given me a parent pass to accompany my son, who is now 6 feet tall, and I hadn't thought of asking for one. 

I expected all the feels to arise, especially since he has no phone to keep us connected along his journey. But that is only a distraction. Times have changed, yes, but I recall airports looking exactly the same twenty-plus years ago. In my young adult era, I traveled alone, domestic and international, without a phone or the need to immediately inform loved ones of safe arrival. It was back in the day, and my family was so used to coming and going. Long-distance phone calls were not free; therefore were not required. As far as I was concerned, the panic button was not flashing red on the dashboard like it is today.

As a parent, sending my teen off like this may be hard, but it also strengthens my faith. I have to trust the Lord, whose eyes are "in every place, beholding the evil and the good" Proverbs 15:3, and even if evil were to happen, God is right there and knows all about it. My biggest concern is that my kid would stay in tune with his Heavenly Father, ready to face whatever the day may bring forth. We may have perfectly laid plans, but those plans can get screwed up in an instant. How we respond and react says everything about our character.  

As I wonder if we've prepared our son enough, my husband reminds me that detachment is a good thing. This is what is supposed to happen, especially with boys. My mom has told me how she used to wonder and worry over the same thing, which leads me to think: Is it a constant question in the back of every parent's mind? Will there be a certain point where satisfaction arises and permanently dismisses the worry?

I used to not get why Job felt the need to do what he did on behalf of his first set of children. They lived a good life, feasting and enjoying all the abundance of a well-to-do family. Every parent wants their kids to be protected and happy, to stay close-knit as a family, even after they leave the nest. But Job still had that wonder and worry over his grown children, which motivated him to frequent times of spiritual intervention. 

"And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually." 1:5 

Old Testament times were different, let alone ancient OT times, well before Moses and the law. Yet this parent looked past the exterior and desired a pureness of heart in the lives of his kids; something that would be eternally acceptable to the God they had been raised to serve and love. This family was walking in the legacy of Seth, not as many others, no doubt following Cain's path. Job had no idea of the horror that was to come. He was simply a faithful, God-fearing patriarch. 

In today's New Testament, grace-bestowed times, my husband and I still desire the same for our children, raised in a Christian home. We try to be transparent and show them how to follow Jesus for themselves. We are not as priests between them and God, offering sacrifices, but we do pray fervently that they would choose to walk in His ways. Much like Job's family, we too enjoy abundance, pleasure, and leisure. 

We will continue to be mindful and prayerful until each of our kids' lives clearly displays a strong testimony and spiritual fruit that glorifies and magnifies Christ. There is no other way to parent. Born-again Christian kids do not automatically live productive lives for eternity. I believe as long as we live, we have the responsibility and privilege of praying for and encouraging our children toward seeking God above all else. Life on earth is wrought with too many unknowns, distractions, and heartache to throttle back and set the cruise control. 

Amen. I'll leave it at that.