January 25

Exodus 2:1-3

1 Now a man of the tribe of Levi married a Levite woman, 2 and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. 3 But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile.

When she could hide him no longer…

As mothers, we have a natural desire to protect our children. In the beginning, it is from enemies like cold, hunger, or sitting in dirty diapers too long. Later on we wish to protect them from kids who would make fun of them or friends who would be a bad influence. But there comes a time when we can hide them no longer. Moses' mother understood that. There was a terrible ruling that all baby boys should be killed so she hid him for three months.

There comes a time with our children as well when we can no longer protect them as we would wish. After preparing them the best that we know, we must send them on their way. For some of us it means leaving them in a day care or putting them on a yellow bus to go to school. For others, it means allowing the child to be with their father who has very different values than what we teach them in our home. In such situations, we prepare them, then we must let go… and pray.

Exodus 2:4-5

4 His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him. 5 Then Pharaoh's daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the riverbank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her female slave to get it.

I remember the first time I needed to let my child go. He had a special language need that I simply was not qualified to meet. Thankfully, the place where he went had special glass windows that allowed me to see him though he could not see me. Even then, I couldn't see everything , all the time. I was so blessed! My child was taken care of by a "princess" who is one of the most gifted educators I have ever met. Only a few days after my child started this program, I was asked, "Can I talk to you?" Those were some of the most beautiful words that have ever been spoken to me.

I can't promise you that your story will turn out like mine, but I know that again and again, as Moms we still have to let go…and pray there will be a "princess" to help them on their journey of life.

Prayer for Moms: Lord, you know that I love my child so much. I wish that I could protect them from every evil and negative input in their lives. Since I cannot, please help me to prepare them, then let them go, trusting you to lead them. Lord, I know that You love them even more than I do. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Teresa Brand