Inside: My younger daughter is leaving for college in a week. How I’m feeling about that, plus timeless promises that can bolster our hearts through seasons of change. ~

One week from today, we’ll load the cars and take our younger daughter to college.

I’ve written some unbelievable words in my life—thoughts about events I still can’t wrap my head around, years after they happened. The idea of taking Molly to college does not fall into that category. It’s part of growing up—the next right step for her, and also for her parents.

And Yet …

A text from a friend in the same season of life is helping me articulate how I feel right now.

“How’s your mama heart as the day draws near to take Molly to JBU?” she wrote.

It’s good question. Last spring, as my sweet girl was wrapping up her final days of high school, I spent several weeks wondering, questioning and even worrying about how all this was going to feel and what I was going to do next.

Eventually, these anxious thoughts morphed into curiosity. I still don’t know how it’s all going to turn out, but rather than fret about it, I decided to take it as it came. One transition at a time, one decision at a time, one feeling at a time.

And Now Here We Are …

I love being Molly’s mom. She’s a unique person—fun, logical, creative, thoughtful, comfortable in her own skin. I will miss her terribly when she goes to college.

She will have the usual challenges to work through when she gets there—greater adjustments than she’s ever had to make, and many of them. She’ll manage, though, I’m sure of that.

At the same time, not knowing what all that is going to look like is tough for this mama’s heart, especially given my well-known propensity to read the end of the book first.

Midnight Musings

And then there are the thoughts that come to me in the middle of the night, the time when I’m most likely to process what’s going on in my life from every conceivable (and often unexpected) angle. Turns out, what I’m remembering most during these times is not Molly’s childhood, but my own transition to college.

I didn’t experience much of this when older daughter Lilly went to college in the fall of 2020. Maybe that’s because I was so happy she got to go at all, given what was happening in the world at the time.

And perhaps also because Molly was still at home. To use a possibly outdated colloquialism, the empty nest phase just hits different.

Where I End Up

Whatever the reason, that’s where my wakeful ponderings have taken me in the days leading up to Molly’s launch. I go round and round, memories chasing regrets chasing feelings, until—inevitably and thankfully—God brings me back to my favorite Bible verse.

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV)

God’s presence comforted and protected me when I left home for the first time, and it will do the same for Molly. I can trust in that, and be grateful for it too.

Longtime Inspiration

Other scriptures are coming to mind during this season of transition too. Not surprisingly, the verses bolstering my heart the most also are those that have meant the most the longest.

There’s Psalm 139:16b: “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

This promise was foundational when we were waiting to become parents—anticipating the arrival of each daughter through adoption—and when my own parents were nearing the ends of their lives. Now, again, it steadies my heart when I remember it also applies to each member of my family in our current stages of life.

Finding Joy

Ditto for Psalm 16:11: “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

This verse gave me courage during the saddest, most exhausting season of my life to date. These days, in the midst of normal transitions and exciting possibilities, it reminds me that God is still guiding our steps and remains our source of joy, no matter what we’re feeling at any given moment.

Finally, as I consider all the growth that surely lies ahead for my girls—and for me, and you too—I can’t help but think about Philippians 1:6, a verse I’ve underlined in nearly every Bible I’ve ever owned:

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

I’m hopeful our lives will include many future blessings. I also understand that God often uses circumstances and events that we would never choose to accomplish His purposes and good works. Whatever that looks like for us and our loved ones, we can trust that He will see us through and hold us fast.

Just as He has always done.

♥ Lois

P.S. I’m linking up this week with Inspire Me Monday, #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.