I’m not gonna lie. It is hard letting go. Or maybe I should rephrase that. It’s hard releasing. In a few short weeks, too short, my baby girl is getting married. For twenty-three years I’ve poured into this baby-girl-now-grown-up young woman. And I’m proud of her. She has awakened into a mature, kind-hearted soul. But it’s difficult. It’s gut-wrenching. And at the same time, I know without a shadow of a doubt that she’s ready. She tested her baby wings when she went to middle school. Sometimes the little wings failed her, but I was there in the nest, ready to catch her every misstep. Ready to give direction and guidance.
Then she unfurled those wings a bit more in high school. Sometimes it was painful watching her make a wrong decision, yet those mistakes only served to strengthen her knowledge of how to navigate the world.
Then college. Whew! That was hard waving good-bye, yet I knew that it was just weeks until I would see her again. I knew that there were always summers to enjoy my full nest again. With each flight, I watched her get more confident.
Which brings us to this point. It’s time. It’s time to watch as she stands on the edge of the nest that gave her strength and love and confidence and encouragement, a safe place to falter and grow. When she walks down that wedding aisle, I will see her unfurl those strong wings. She’ll take a tentative step, and I’ll see her gain confidence. Another step, then two, and then she’ll catch the wind and soar.
Oh, she’ll come back to the nest to visit, but she has her own place to grow now. And she’s ready. And truth be told, I’m ready. I can do this. I can release her, knowing that what I’m really doing is releasing her into God’s care. All the preparation, this is where we were heading all along: for her to be on her own, for her to make decisions, good or bad, and learn. She’s going to get stronger and stronger. Her wings, which are already beautiful, will gain power as she soars to heights unimagined. And God brought the perfect partner for her to share her flight. Together, as they know the breath of God that will carry them, they’ll face the world.
I release you, baby bird, not into the wild, but into the wildly loving and capable arms of your Abba Father. You’re ready. Soar like the eagle that God made you to be.
“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NLT
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