Moms Don't Take Vacations

When a mom goes away and leaves children home, a part of her hopes that said children will keep things neat and tidy, clean up after themselves, and generally run the house the way she does. That part of mom--we'll call her 'manager mom', wants to come home to a clean house so she can pick up her duties without a back log of work.
But another side of moms is the sub-conscious, quiet side of mothers who miss their children, miss their home, miss cooking for the family, miss being in charge of who goes where when and how.  That part of mothers--we'll call her 'sentimental mom' knows--feels--instinctively--that not every thing will be done according to manager mom's plans--and secretly relishes that fact.  She knows that no one child (or even serveral) can do the work of manager mom and she's glad, even if she does not care to admit it to her family.
When sentimental mom gets home and sees piles of dirty clothes waiting to be washed, she knows it means her laundering duties are vital to the family.  When she sees leftover food in the fridge from the day before she left for a 6-day absence, she realizes that her daily reminders are necessary for smooth household routines.
Manager mom is glad and even proud of how well her children managed without her.  She hears reports from others about how responsible they are, what a delight they were to those who helped care for them while mom and dad were gone.  She know they can manage on their own, that they are responsible for themselves, each other, the dog and the house and she feels blessed by their maturity.
Sentimental mom hears the tired tones in the nightly calls to home, though.  She understands the weary, exasperated spirit behind the complaint, "I'm ready to kill our dog, mom. She's been barking every night and early every morning!"
Being the keeper of the house and schedule is hard work.  Sentimental/Manager mom knows it.  She gets tired and weary, exasperated and ready to quit sometimes, too.  Both Sentimental and Manager mom are glad to be home, back on the job (no matter how back-logged it is), ready to get to work caring for her family in person again.

God's will worked out

God takes us right where we are and moves us along to where He wants us.  It doesn't matter to Him (it seems to hinder us, but not Him) that we are bogged down in a particular sinful tendency--pride, selfishness, anger bitterness, fear, etc.  He carries us along step by step down the path He has for us.  And as He does this, He teaches us through blessed circumstances or dire consequences what He would have us to learn.  He conforms us to His image. 
This week I witnessed this training-image conforming firsthand.  I watched the transforming power of the Holy Sipirit at work on one of God's own.  
I know I'm supposed to be sad that my son has gone to college. I'm not saying I'm not --sad that is--but I'm also rejoicing over it.  No, it's not because he is my HMO (high maintenance offspring) and I'm glad to get rid of him--far from it.  I'm already wondering how I'm going to sleep tonight without hearing the familiar 'thump, thump,' of his stereo overhead.
I rejoice because I witnessed God's hand and His plan this week guiding and directing, comforting, encouraging, and blessing both Justin and his parents.
On our trip up north to college, there were anxieties fueled by the unknown: unknown roommate, unknown college, unknown church, unknown professors.  As information unfolded through daily events the unknown took the form of blessing.  There was confimation of the decision to go to this particular college and study a particular major.  Over and over again God confirmed what had been planned and prayed over for months.
Answer to prayers were positive and profound: a roommate who seems a well-suited personality, a school that recognizes what freshmen face, a church community that includes professors who teach in Justin's field of expertise.  The Lord showed us this week that He cares about all the details and deals with our anxieties by revealing His plan as we need it. In our weakness He is strong to lead and guide.  Whether we succeed or fail, are blessed or disciplined or tried (which may also bring blessing), we know that God's plan is worked through us to accomplish His will for us.
That is why I am happy about Justin going away.  How sad can I be when I know that God has him exactly where He should be?
I know God is working in Justin His good will for him.  I know that when I am anxious or sad, He will remind me of His purposes for Justin.  He calls me to pray for Justin and I will (and have) as he faces new challenges that will mature and strengthen his faith.
This is a new beginning for Justin and an exciting (if somewhat scary) time of adjustment for all of us.  I don't want to look back but forward as I am excited to see how the Lord uses these new experiences to grow His child in His image.