A Season and A Reason

by Ashley McPhearson

When my first child was born, I was overly anxious for him to walk, talk, run, and play. When it came time for him to leave for college a hundred miles away, all my nights turned to late nights worrying and crying, and my days were filled with migraines and being emotionally drained, especially when his housing was not ready when he 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 not want to keep my phone on. I will be writing you guys every day; the phone would only distract me, and I need to focus.” In that moment, I could have just died. The only prayer that came of out my mouth was yelling, Jesus!

Over the last weeks and days, talking with a friend of mine about the whole situation, the only thing he would say was, “Don’t stress. You raised a good, nice, mature young man. You have to support him.” To be honest, I was confused by the statement he had made; all I have ever done and am doing is being my children’s cheerleader on their adventures. Moments later after getting off the phone with my friend, God quickly reminded me of when my son was 10 years of age, when the Holy Spirit spoke to me about no longer making sure he was reading, praying, and fasting. Then He showed me Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 and how everything has a time—there is always a reason in

the timing—then to Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” I can honestly say that as I sit at my kitchen table, I’m now at peace in my mind and heart.

My son had his place, a job, and has found himself 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 for them while God is increasing what we as parents planted and watered.

VILLAGE GREEN TOWN CENTER