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So, here's the scene: I'm cooking dinner in my tiny kitchen. As I work, I have the added challenge of maneuvering around, over, and between kids, cars, crayons, coloring books, and a good bit of chaos. For a moment, my culinary attempts cease. I watch and smile. This scene pretty much sums up my life. Countless times I've wondered why my children repeatedly choose to set up shop in the exact.same.place I am working. Why they choose chillin' on a cement floor in the basement watching us exercise in the morning versus sleeping an extra hour in their cozy beds. Why they request assistance doing things they can easily do alone.

It hit me: our little people lack the need to be separated, to have or give space. One thing always brings them comfort and contentment: closeness. They long to be near, to be seen, to be admired. They flourish in feeling wanted, adored, accepted. They look to us as a source of these things; consequently, they remain close.

As demanding as their closeness can be, I treasure it, for I know it won't last forever. My heart is full as I memorize the faces and forms of my sweet children. I know these moments are fleeting and the memories, gold. I know that one day soon they will spread their wings and fly. They will dream big dreams and pursue big goals. They will be independent, mature, grown. The irony of parenting is that we pour ourselves into our children, not to keep them close, but to let them go.

Only one relationship is most mature when we are most dependent: our relationship with our Heavenly Father. One primary goal of parenting is that we imitate to them the love Christ has for them so closely that they begin to grasp it, taste it, glimpse it. Our goal is to mirror that relationship in their lives so that their nearness to Him gives them confidence to leave us. We try and often we fail, but we keep pointing their eyes and their focus to their Heavenly Father - the only One who can fully meet their soul cravings for love, closeness, acceptance, and belonging. We raise them up to send them out - on mission with Him and for Him. We find joy in watching Him captivate their hearts and their dreams. We release them, knowing that the same One who holds us close goes with them, too. He remains close. Forever.