CHRISTINA FOX | EDITOR

My oldest is graduating from college this month. Just typing these words seems unreal. It can’t be true, can it? How did we get here already? Wasn’t I just dropping him off on his first day of kindergarten?

Perhaps you have your own graduation ceremonies to attend this month. Whether it’s a preschool, high school, or college graduation—or some grade in between—it’s a season that can be filled with many emotions. Joy. Worry. Pride. Sadness. Gratitude. Relief. Regret. And perhaps all at one time! You are not alone in these feelings. Times of transition in our children’s lives can be a lot to navigate for moms. The reality that time slips through our fingers faster than we realized, is jarring. Wondering and worrying if our son or daughter is ready for next steps can keep us up at night. Feeling so much pride at how far a child has come can almost make one burst.

It’s an emotional roller coaster ride.

Moms, if you are tracking with me on this, here is a prayer for our hearts—seeking the Lord and His goodness to be the steady horizon in all the ups and downs of this season.

A Prayer for Graduation Season

Father in heaven,

I come before you with my heart feeling all wrung out. Whatever the feeling, I’ve felt it in recent weeks. Sadness at the fact that my child is moving on in life without me. Joy at what lies ahead. Fear over the unknowns of the future. Regret over things left undone. And so much pride! Sometimes these emotions bubble up when I least expect it. Sometimes they seem to fold over on themselves and then turn around and circle back on repeat. To be honest, it’s kind of caught me by surprise. After all, this is a joyous season and time of life.

Isn’t it?

Sometimes this roller coaster of emotions is just too much. Father, help steady my heart. Be the constant in this unlevel terrain. Be the rock beneath my feet. Be my security and peace. Help me to see your hand at work. Help me to see your goodness and faithfulness in our lives. Help me to rejoice at all you have done and to expect good things from you in the future.

Forgive me for the ways my fears lead me to distrust you. Forgive me when I cling to identities that are not rooted in you. Forgive me for finding meaning and purpose in anything apart from you.

As I consider my worries and cares for the future, I lay them at your feet. You know them all, Lord. You know my every thought and feeling and longing before I even do. You are a good Father, and you love my child more than I ever could. Your love is perfect. It is a sacrificial love that brought your Son to the cross as a perfect sacrifice to rescue us from sin. Help me to love as you have loved me. Help me to want for my child’s life what you want. Help me to image your Fatherly love and care to those around me.

And as I face the glaring reminder that time passes all too fast, help me to do as Moses wrote, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” (Ps. 90:12). Help me to remember that though my life is brief, though the “years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty” (v.10), you are eternal. And to remember that you are my home, my place of security.  “Lord, you have been our dwelling in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God” (vv. 1-2).

Bless my child in this next stage and season. Continue your good work in the life of this child whom you have created in your image. Prepare and equip and use my child for the good of your Kingdom. Help me to trust in your perfect and wise plan.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Photo by MD Duran on Unsplash