It’s graduation season, a time of joy and celebration. Loved ones applaud the graduate’s accomplishments and wish them well as they begin the next phase of life. Wedding season is next on the calendar as early summer brides anticipate perfection in every wedding detail. It is a time of new beginnings…and letting go.
Generally, these rites of passage hold incredible joy as well as a touch of sadness. As young adults excitedly step into their future, the carefree days of childhood quietly fade into sweet memories.
Parenthood
There’s truth to the adage, “the days are long, but the years are short,” It is also true that some of the hard years drag along at a snail’s pace. Somehow, time has a way of quickening its pace as days turn to years and years to decades. The hardest part of parenthood is the continual feeling of letting go of the gift you so profoundly love, your children. Now to be sure, heart ties are never severed. But as children grow up and move away, parents experience the inevitable heartache of letting go.
The Quiver, Arrow, and Archer
Archery is a fun sport that provides an interesting analogy for letting go. The archer’s equipment consists of a bow, arrows, a target, and a quiver. The feel of firm tension as the arrow rests against the bowstring sets the stage for the send-off. To shoot, the archer holds the bow at its center with one hand, pulls back the arrow in the bowstring with the other, aims, and lets the arrow go. When released, the arrow flies from the bow with a “shoosh” and asserts a loud “thump” as it finds the target. The objective is for the arrow to hit the center of the target, the bullseye.
An essential skill in archery is knowing when to release the arrow. Once you make that call, all you can do is helplessly watch the released arrow soar toward the target and hope your aim is spot on!
Letting Go
I recently heard a comment that I pondered for weeks. It went something like this:
“Arrows are designed to be launched. If they remain in the quiver, they can not accomplish their purpose.”
Think about that for a moment. Parents desire that their children thrive as they happily experience life. We delight as our loved ones find and accomplish their God-given purpose. But it’s hard to launch that arrow. Launching means the arrow is no longer safe in our care. Once cast, any perceived control is gone. As your fingers release the arrow, the tension on the bow takes over, and “shoosh,” it’s out of your hands.
We want to be sure our children know all they need to know to be happy, safe, and successful. As time continues its march forward, we do our best. Then, we hope, we pray, and we launch.
It’s Time
As a parent, I admit I found it difficult to let go. With the celebration of each milestone, my heart broke a little. Holding on too tight or too long would have been a terrible mistake. My children would have missed the joy of independence, marriage, parenthood, and career success. Likewise, I would have missed the pleasure of watching them happily flourish.
When the time is right, letting go is a more significant act of love than holding on. It’s hard. But there is great joy in watching the arrow soar, even more in seeing it hit the target and find the bullseye. Keep those precious ones in your prayers, trust God’s plan, and savor the new season of life for both of you. Let them find their purpose and soar into the life God designed specifically for them.
“The Lord has made everything for its purpose.” Proverbs 16:4a
Charlene Miller
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#charlenemillerblogs
