This past summer as we were
preparing and pushing Geoffrey (our youngest and a son) to go to college. Many
of our/his…well maybe more our plans hinged upon his having a driver’s license.
With his health issues for those three years there seemed to be little point of
getting one. But, he was going to get one and then be able to move to
Statesboro living with friends he had grown up with and go to school at East
Georgia. Well time continued to pass and it’s time for school to start and no
license. So he catches a ride with a friend and one of us (our punishment)
makes the trek to go and get him. He had packed up his stuff to move but couldn’t
because of (say it all together now) No license. One week becomes two and two
become a month and a month becomes a semester and still (say it together) no
license.
Between semesters I said I would
not go and get him anymore. Yes, the first week of class I went three of the
four days to get him. You would think I would know better than to say that.
Still no appointment to take the test. That was the problem taking the test.
All the while his stuff he packed in August continued to sit in his room still
packed up. The plan was still possible just dependent upon a driver’s license.
Low and behold two weeks ago Geoff schedules a test for his license. Go figure,
after all of the pushing and prodding and inconvenience. Tuesday came and his
mother took him for the exam.
He PASSED was the text that blew
up my phone. I was proud and relieved because now I didn’t have to get off the bus
and into the car for another hour and a half round trip. I am selfish (in case
you did not know). That afternoon he gets in the car by himself and off to
school early to buy his parking pass and go to class. Very cool, a long time
coming but very cool. So, Saturday morning he gets up and off to Barnes and Nobles to buy a book. All the way in
Savannah and traffic and everything, this from the kid who never wanted to
drive. When he got home no scratches, dents or new dings in the car and he and
we were still breathing. Wednesday it was reported to me (not official like on Facebook
or anything) that he plans on moving to Statesboro this weekend like we planned
before August. Very, Very KOOL Right. Well, not so fast!
At that news I found myself
wondering about his going. Now I have driven 5 hours to a school we had only
seen once before hauling her belongings up three floors and 10 million steps
(yes the number gets bigger every time) and left our first daughter there
driving home in silence for a few miles. We have fussed and fumed about his
dragging his feet to get his license and now “all of the sudden” he is moving
out. But, that has been the point since he was born. The point of every child
to grow up and become a healthy, happy, independent adult. If I really love him
I have to let go. That’s what love does, let go.
God has entrusted his mission to
us. That rag tag group of men called disciples were left with eternity in their
lap do or die. The mission was in their hands and now it is in ours. Letting go
is love that is wild, radical and dangerous. It is not easy but it is like God
loves us. Jesus said if you want to gain your life lose it (let go), if you want
to be first be last (let go). It’s counter intuitive but so is Jesus’ dying in
my place. It’s true. What is it you love? Then if you really love it let go!
In
HIS Service and yours,
Bro G
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