Gò0dNews for Parents
A Season and A Reason
W
by Ashley McPhearson
hen my first child was born, I was overly
children’s cheerleader on their adventures. Moments
anxious for him to walk, talk, run, and
later after getting off the phone with my friend, God
play. When it came time for him to leave
quickly reminded me of when my son was 10 years
for college a hundred miles away, all my nights turned
of age, when the Holy Spirit spoke to me about no
to late nights worrying and crying, and my days were
longer making sure he was reading, praying, and
filled with migraines and being emotionally drained,
fasting. Then He showed me Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 and
especially when his housing was not ready when he
how everything has a time—there is always a reason in
arrived on the college campus. With me as his mother and his being my son, not just my son but my firstborn, I was already on the highway and did not have my shoes on. That evening with him, he said, “Mama, don’t worry. I’m at the school. Everything will be okay; God’s got me.” My train of thought was, “Okay, God has you, but it is Friday. I can come down and put you in a hotel until Monday or whenever.” At the time, I felt as though God was not moving fast enough and I could move quicker. If that was not bad enough, then my son called an hour later trying to make sure I did not get on the road and saying, “Mama, I’ve been thinking: I do
the timing—then to Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in
not want to keep my phone on. I will be writing you
the way he should go; even when he is old he will not
guys every day; the phone would only distract me,
depart from it.” I can honestly say that as I sit at my
and I need to focus.” In that moment, I could have just
kitchen table, I’m now at peace in my mind and heart.
died. The only prayer that came of out my mouth was
My son had his place, a job, and has found himself
yelling, Jesus! Over the last weeks and days, talking with a friend
a church that he attends regularly, all in a matter of days. It is not so much about supporting them in their success as it is being a much bigger cheerleader
would say was, “Don’t stress. You raised a good, nice,
for them while God is increasing what we as parents
mature young man. You have to support him.” To
planted and watered.
be honest, I was confused by the statement he had made; all I have ever done and am doing is being my
20 // June 2020
About The Author
of mine about the whole situation, the only thing he
Ashley McPhearson and her family have been in Cleveland for three years since moving from Chicago. She writes stories, plays, and blogs about Jesus Christ.
