I am the mother of a high school senior. Can you guess what the question of the year is from every family member, church friend, grocery store employee, neighbor, and person we just met five minutes ago?
“So Asa, what are you going to do next year?”
Mmmhmm. It’s a fair question. People are curious, and in fact, I appreciate that so many care enough to ask.
It would be nice if we had an answer. It would be great if there was plan in place. But right now, the answer is a solid, “I don’t know yet.”
Not only does he not know, I mean – he does not know. The options are pretty much without limit, which makes the decision both very exciting and occasionally very overwhelming. The months building up to this school year as I was figuring out his senior year curriculum just about did me in. What should we focus on? How much should we work to improve his ACT? How should we guide him? What will be best for him?
All are valid questions. But when I started losing sleep and noticing a shortage of oxygen at the very mention of Asa’s future, I recognized that I had taken this all upon myself and landed myself in a pool of worry. I hate it when I do that. I know better.
So I’m wrestling. I’m walking a brand new path and learning as I (let) go. I started to tell someone recently, “Hopefully, this time next year we’ll have a great story to tell about how God opened and closed doors to lead Asa to whatever he’s going to be doing.” Then I stopped myself. Hopefully? Hopefully?!!? Have I not experienced God at work before? Do I not know the truth from Ephesians about God preparing works in advance for us? How about we switch the word “hopefully” with “definitely”? Definitely, this time next year we WILL have a great story to tell about how God opened and closed doors to lead Asa to whatever he’s going to be doing.
He will. God will do it. We will have a story. Our job is to trust. And maybe to cry a little here and there. Hey, he’s my firstborn. You want to try and tell me it’s easy to think of launching this fantastic kid out of the nest a year from now? (I know. 11 months from now. Hush.)
One particularly weepy day for me last week, God put a dear friend in my path whom I haven’t visited with in several months. I didn’t tell her I was wrestling with this. In fact, I didn’t use many words at all. I didn’t need to. Just sharing the words “senior year” was enough for her to read my mind and heart. See, she’s done this before…four times. Her youngest graduated last year. She knows. She knows. God used her to bless me, encourage me, and to remind me of what I already know to be true:
God already has this figured out. He will make it happen. Our job is to listen and walk with Him.
She told me about a fun card someone had given her last year when she was going through a difficult time with her dad’s illness. I loved what it said and decided to recreated it for you (and me).
Yes, yes, yes! We know this. We’ve experienced this.
The end of the story? We already know how it’s going to turn out. We might not know the specifics, but we know it’s going to be great, because God is in charge, not us.
Oh, God. You’re so good. You know what we need, and you bless us constantly with your truth. Help us to hear it. Help us to live it. Help us to accept your continual gift of peace. We trust you.
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Thanks, Laura. I needed that. My oldest is in his Junior year and some of those same thoughts have been running through my head.
I was just praying about this today regarding my 11th grader! I keep telling myself the same things you are saying – God has this already figured out. We need not worry, but walk in faith. I wrote about this recently. I hope you have the time to check it out. Thanks for all of the encouragement, Laura. Know that you aren’t alone in this. http://myoverflowingcup.com/but-what-if-it-wasnt-a-happy-ending/
I just wanted to share my story to encourage you today :). When I was a senoir in high school everyone seem to have it figured out. SAT’s, college, roommates, major, etc. But not me…
My sister was attending a small Christian college at the time. Everyone hoped and prayed I might go there, but it was too small for me. I decided to apply to the “party school” my friends were going to attend. My precious parent’s were willing to take me to look at the campus, but the car wouldn’t start on that day. (Thank you Lord).
Everyone was praying for me, and on Spring break of my senior year, we went to visit my sister at the small Christian college. I had a great visit! Shortly thereafter, I was at home and told everyone that I was going to the small Christian college! (It was God!)
Those college years were the best ever! I made lifetime friends, met my amazing husband and the Lord called me to work with women facing unplanned pregnancies. He is faithful!
Asa, God has an amazing plan for you!
Psalm 29:11 The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.
This is wonderful! Thanks for the reminder! We currently have a baby in the n.I.c.u. and it seems like it will never be o.k… but I am reminded God is faithful
Prayers for your sweet baby. Hoping and praying you get to bring baby home soon!
Thanks for the encouragement!
Nearly five years ago my first baby was in the NICU too from being born premature. Every day seemed long and hard, but God was faithful to us just as His is to you now. Prayers for your baby – and for you too!
Thank you! We appreciate the encouraging words!
It been a year and half since we have been going through a struggle. I have learned a lot and I ,am okay. I survive and it will never fully go away but I will be ok. Make a you appreciate all the small things
THANK YOU FOR THE REMINDER! I left a 20 year career to be a stay at home mom one month ago. I discover your blog my first day off, what a beautiful reminder that I’m doing the right thing for my family. GOD HAS A PLAN
Wow. I am in the same boat, almost exactly. I left my job almost exactly a month ago to stay at home, almost entirely on faith. God is so good. He never fails.
Oh, Laura, this is/was such a good reminder for me. We leave Friday to take our son to Arizona. He has been hired by the largest AV company in the nation and will be working at a resort in Phoenix. I lost his heart to Arizona four years ago when he went to school there to become a certified audio engineer. Circumstances dictated him coming back home (to Ohio!) but he always planned on moving back. God has opened doors and I won’t stand in his way, but ooh…. I did need this reminder.
Quite honestly, if we had just a couple more days for this trip I’d ask my husband to swing by Nebraska so I could meet you. I know I don’t comment often so that may come across as a real stalker statement, but trust me, I’ve been a faithful follower for several years now and would love to get to meet you.
After all that, let me say that though moving Nathanael 2,000 miles and two time zones away, it is SO worth seeing God’s hand on him – protecting, guiding, directing. I give Him glory!
Thank you for the reminder. I am beginning to see evidence of this in my own life. After being laid off from my job two years ago, while my husband still had two years of school left, we are finally seeing some financial stability. I started a business and it has been steadily making enough money to support us for most of this year. My husband has three weeks of school left….better times are in sight!
LOVE this, and thank you so much for sharing! My oldest daughter is in the 11th grade right now, so it’s coming fast :( I DO, COMPLETELY, trust God to work all things out for the good of those who love Him, and we sure do love Him!
Great post! So applicable to all of life!
I have been struggling with launching mine next year…into Kindergarten! And because I’m doing preschool at home I have been struggling with how to prepare her – really it’s very similar to yours just on a smaller scale. Love you!
Tears well up into my eyes as I read this because I have gone through the same thing – twice! Yet I am here to tell you that GOD IS FAITHFUL!! He will give that needed guidance and direction in His time. Throughout the senior years of my first two homeschool graduates, I kept singing the first lines of this hymn as a prayer:
Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but Thou art mighty;
Hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Now we can look back and see how wonderfully kind God was in leading us and helping us through those very uncertain and vulnerable times.
How I wish I could reach through my computer and give you a huge hug right now! I was right in your shoes one year ago, complete with the not knowing. Walking beside your firstborn son through his senior year isn’t easy, but it will indeed work out…God’s got this!
Walking this exact road right now as we prepare to send 2 of our sons into the plans God has for them. Scary, exciting, uncertain, teary, full of joy… all those emotions wrapped up in my everyday life. Love the reminder the Lord gave me this morning in Jeremiah 29:11- 13. Encourging our boys to call upon the Lord, pray to Him, knowing that He will listen and reminding them to seek Him with all of their heart because He will be found by them. He is faithful to speak to them and give mom and dad peace in the midst of the uncertainty. It has been such a comfort following you these past 5 years, knowing that we would have boys graduate the same year. One practical question for you. Is the ACT easier than the SAT? Unfortunately one of my weaknesses as a homeschool mom is… I have failed to let my boys in the high school years take any standardized tests… so now we are studying for the SAT just wondering if ACT would be easier. Thank you! Excited to hear how Asa’s story will end…or actually just begin. Blessings from Florida.
Thanks so much Laura. I really needed this today.
My oldest son is in his senior year. He’s not really sure what he’s doing after high school yet either. Right now it seems like all of our conversations revolve around:
ACT score…is his first score good enough? Good, but he’s taking it twice more.
Possible scholarships…Full ride? Partial?
Most affordable colleges…in case he doesn’t get a scholarship?
Local college or away college…will he live at home and commute or stay on campus?
Job offer right out of his vocational school program? He’s in an engineering program at a local vocational school. Some graduates go on to college, others receive job offers and work right after graduating.
Another part-time job to help with expenses? He just finished a summer job, has a summer job lined up for next year, but needs another job now and doesn’t know where he wants to work.
Homecoming dance…his first one, he’s taking his girlfriend in a few weeks
Balancing his life…His faith and walk with God, his family, his education, his girlfriend, his responsibilities at home, looking for a job
National Honor Society…participation in numerous activities and charitable events
Girlfriend…his first serious girlfriend that he’s been seeing for almost a year…purity in today’s society, feels like they are in love but still need to be serious about furthering their educations
Sometimes I am in complete shock at how quickly he has grown and that I’m now parenting this young man and no longer the young boy. After another round of discussing colleges and ACT scores last night, I laid my head on my husband’s strong shoulder in bed and cried. Will we get through this year okay? My husband assured me that we would and that I just need to let God be in control. I’m trying to remember that daily. It’s going to be so difficult to let go of my little boy…who is now a young man.
Love, love, love the card. Thank you for sharing it. After a very difficult August (both cars died the same day, an ER visit, roof needing to be replaced and a lot more!) the one thought that kept me going was that my Redeemer is Faithful and True. And as you put it– He knows the end of the story. He is the One who will get us through. I can’t relate to the senior year anxiety as my two are only in the 5th grade, but even for that–He knows the end of the story and will see us through. He has a plan and a purpose and it is for our good and His glory. Oh to always chose His plan and purposes, to always trust His heart. Thank you for the cheerful reminder of His goodness.
Needed this today! I am 40 w 4d pregnant and so done. AND we are house-hunting! Doing me best to believe God and His promises and to remember how He has “set my feet upon the rock and made my footsteps firm” every. single. time. in the past!!
What a beautiful handout. We are at a bit of a crossroads in our life too and a year from now, we will have quite a story. I also know the ending…that is what happens when you allow God to write your story.
I thought I was done crying for today! I added you to my blogroll a long time ago. Now that I’m getting back into blogging I’m checking in on my bloggy friends and I am overwhelmed with how much everyone’s most recent posts have hit nerves with me – especially this one! Letting go and letting God has been my mantra this week. It isn’t always the easy choice or the one that gives the quickest relief, but it is the most reliable and true one. Btw, my oldest daughter just started her freshman year of college so I know all too well those jitters you are feeling! Hang in there!
I am feeling the same with my first son starting kindergarten a month ago. I thought by now I would be okay with it and doing so much better, but it has been slow; I am at least sleeping most nights now. Homeschooling is my dream, but right now, it doesn’t seem possible. I know it will all get figured out the right way in the end though. Thanks for this post.
Hugging you through the computer screen. What a complete BLESSING to have a son with so many opportunities before him and a God that will direct!
Side note – make sure you’re getting enough rest! If this was keeping you up at night – it’s easier to get run down and then it feels even more overwhelming. I know you know this but just felt led to share! No longer a newborn but still keeping you up- sheesh- this parenting stuff NEVER ends! :)
You are so right, and I thought you should know, I just got up from a much needed nap. ;)
Miss ya – hope you’re doing well!
So true and so timely! Thanks for the artwork, I’m thinking of someone else I know who needs a reminder of God’s hand on their life – what a perfect way to share it!