2 a time for giving birth and a time for dying,
a time for planting and a time for uprooting what was planted,
Reflection
You may have heard the expression to give your kids “roots and wings.” They need roots to know where their home is, but they also need wings to fly. It’s up to us parents to support them, teach them, and give them confidence to know who they are; then they need to go out into the world on their own with all you’ve taught them to succeed. Many of us rely on geography to establish where home is, but it’s important to remember that home can be established by relationships just as much as, if not more than, your location. That’s the reminder I need today.
We are on the brink of a significant change of address. It’s something that we’ve been waiting for and expecting, but it’s coming closer now and I’m finding it more difficult than I expected to be excited.
It feels like my roots are only just starting to spread into the soil here. My almost 4-year-old has started school and absolutely loves it; my 18-month-old is confident enough to run around to church friends. It’s easy to love Medford Lakes: the bicycle culture, Canoe Carnival, trick-or-treating, and getting to see deer and their fawns literally whenever you want. Not to mention the amazing church family we’ve got here… I don’t know of any churches in our area of NH that have anything close to the involvement, joy, and inclusivity that we have at MUMC.
Our daughters, my husband, his family, and I have roots here. It’s scary to think that it’s time to uproot the life we’ve established.
But there are many silver linings to living in New Hampshire and this is what wings are for! Also, while some roots have to come up, not all of them do. Our friendships will remain intact. We can come back for visits and we can host visitors (for real, please, come see us). My daughters will grow up exploring the woods, mountains, streams, and lakes literally just out the back door. We will still cultivate their faith and acceptance of others even if we don’t get to worship in the FLC on Sundays.
It’s tough to know whether or not we are doing the right thing, but we do know that life has its seasons, and those seasons change. We know that we and our daughters will be loved and supported no matter where we are and no matter what season we are in.
by Ashley Bowler
For Pondering and Prayer
What are the healthy roots in your life that give you the sustenance to fly? Is there something in your life that is pushing you to fly?
How can you help those around you develop roots? Or How can you help those around you to fly?
Prayer: Dear God, Your unconditional love exists so that each and every one of us may fly. Your presence in our lives gives us roots that nurture us until it is time for our wings to carry us through a new season. Even when we are scared, we know it’s time to move forward with Your support and love. Amen