In what is one of the main goals as a parent, that to have raised young men and women who flourish and take the next step leaving the house pursuing full adulthood, there can be much pain. The pain comes when those who have lived side by side with us for nearly twenty years are no longer there. The pain comes when we think about the influences they are about to come under without us there by their side.

As Christian parents, this is where the sovereignty of our great God can be such a comfort. Whether tucked into the bed next to us as a frightened four year old or over 2,000 miles away at university, our God is in the heavens doing all that He pleases and He is in control in both, in all, situations.

But, we still feel the pain when they leave! This year we sent our oldest off for his fourth and final year of university and our number two child off for her second year at university (five more kids to go!). For those who are new to this sending-off time of life, I found this article quite helpful as an encouragement for how we can pray for our adult children who are no longer under our roof. May we diligently pray for them and rest in our sovereign God’s good hands.