Growing in Grace: A Season of Sacred Surrender

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” —2 Corinthians 9:8

What does it feel like to truly release your child into God’s hands?

As parents, we teach them to walk, to pray, to say “please” and “thank you.” We cheer from the sidelines, wipe away tears, and pray in secret for their protection and purpose. But what happens when they begin to walk paths we can no longer shape—when the decisions become theirs to make? How do we anchor ourselves when our hearts are full of love, pride, fear, and uncertainty—all at once? If you’ve found yourself asking, “Did I do enough?” or “Is he/she ready?”—you’re not alone.

I have two children, Naomi (20) and Zayne (15).

Today, I want to talk a little about my daughter, Naomi. While a student at Pearl River Community College, she was proposed to by her boyfriend, Dalton, after two years of dating, shared dreams, and God-centered love. She said yes, and today we celebrated the two of them with a wedding shower. Her wedding date is in August—just 18 days before she begins her new journey at Ole Miss!

As I watched the proposal video of him placing the ring onto her finger, I flashed back to a moment I stood in a church, holding her in my arms as a baby, dedicating her to the Lord. I vowed to raise her in His ways, to point her toward Jesus every chance I got.

And now, here I am, in a season of releasing. It’s a sacred surrender—and it’s hard.

Naomi has served in our local assembly as a Sunday school teacher, youth ensemble leader, youth and ladies committee member, and sound/media team member. She has a deep love for God and for what’s right.

She worked diligently during her time at PRCC. She served as the President of the award-winning Iota Mu chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, an international honors society for two-year college students. She also represented her peers as a sophomore representative of the Dr. William Lewis Honors Institute, and received the PRCC Criminal Justice Award and was inducted into the English honor society Sigma Kappa Delta. She earned a place on the All-Mississippi Academic Team and was named one of only three Jack Kent Cooke semifinalists in the state of Mississippi. The Jack Kent Cook Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship awards transfer students up to $55,000 per year for 2-3 years. This year, out of over 1,600 applicants nationwide, only 467 students were selected as semifinalists, which is already a great accomplishment. Naomi went on to be one of 90 finalists, and the only finalist in the state of Mississippi. She graduated from PRCC with special honors and has been awarded multiple scholarships to attend Ole Miss, including the Ole Miss Leadership Scholarship, and aspires to become a criminal prosecuting attorney.

I say all of this to say - God has instilled in her a drive to persevere through opposition and insurmountable odds - and it’s been an avenue of provision for her. God’s shown time and time again He cares about the “small things” and the “big things” in her life. She told me the day before JKC sent her the news - “Dalton and I both are praying God has His will, mama.” Through this experience, and so many like it, God’s proved to her He isn’t just ‘the God of her parents’, but He is HER God - personal savior, and friend.

Let's Look At Scripture...

Scripture promises us that God provides all we need—not just financially or physically, but emotionally, spiritually, and relationally.

“And God is able to bless you abundantly…” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Yet the world says, “You’re losing her. Control what you can. Make sure she doesn’t make mistakes.”

But God says, “She’s Mine. I’ve equipped her. Trust Me.”

Spiritual maturity as a parent means stepping back and allowing God to become the source we once tried to be. We often confuse good parenting with constant intervention. But sometimes, love looks like letting go.

“Growth requires release.” —Dr. Angela Harrelson, Christian family counselor

God’s grace will meet our children where we can’t. Our job now is to cheer, pray, counsel when asked—and trust.

Trapped in my Thoughts...

If we’re not careful, the letting go becomes a trap of introspection.

We obsess over whether we taught enough, guided enough, or prayed enough. We compare ourselves to other parents or fall into the guilt of things we “should’ve done differently.”

That kind of internal spiraling is self-consuming—and it’s not of God.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” —Philippians 2:3

“Through love serve one another.” —Galatians 5:13

“Rejoice with those who rejoice...” —Romans 12:15

Instead of turning inward, we must turn upward. And then outward. Celebrate your child’s joy. Serve others in similar seasons. Find someone else to encourage. This is the work of grace.

Am I The Only One to Feel This Way?

Think of Hannah, the mother of Samuel. She desperately wanted a child, and when God gave her one, she gave him back. She physically handed him over to Eli the priest, trusting that God would complete what she had begun.

“I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord.” —1 Samuel 1:27-28

That’s the heart of release. Not abandonment—entrustment. Hannah gives us a beautiful picture of what faith looks like when parenting meets transition.

Name that Emotion...

Emotionally, this season may bring what’s called ambiguous grief—a sense of loss without a clear reason to mourn. You’re proud, joyful, and expectant. But there’s also sadness for what’s changing.

My son, Zayne, expressed this so well just yesterday. “I’m sad Naomi’s moving, but I’m really happy she’s getting married.” We’re all feeling it in our home right now, including Naomi.

This is normal. Psychologists describe it as a complex emotional blend that often hits during life transitions. But biblically, this makes sense. Ecclesiastes 3 tells us there is “a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing.”

This is that time.

This grief does not mean lack of faith. It means you love deeply.

If you, too, are in a season of transition, experiencing ambiguous grief, or have a sense of brokenness and would like someone to walk alongside you in your journey to healing, please reach out to Pursuing Wholeness.

Practical Tool for This Week

Exercise: The Release Journal

1. Write a letter to God about your child

   Pour it all out—hopes, fears, memories, prayers. No filter.

   
   

2. Name three ways God has shown His faithfulness in their life

   Let these become your anchor stones, like the Israelites' memorials.

   
   

3. Pray a declaration of release

   “Lord, I trust You with my child. You gave them to me, and now I give them back to You again.”

You may want to do this exercise annually or at the start of every new season in your child's life. Releasing isn't a one-time moment—it's a practice.

My Prayer Today

Lord, thank You for the gift of parenting both Naomi and Zayne. Thank You for walking with me in every stage—from carrying them and singing lullabies, to drivers permits, to wedding bells. Help me to trust You more deeply, to release my children into Your care without fear. Grow in them both (and in me) the grace and wisdom needed for this next chapter. When I feel unsure, remind me to CAST MY CARES, and that You are not only my God—but theirs too. Amen.