Five MInute Friday...Catch and Release Parenting...

 Today is Five Minute Friday. When I saw this week's word I was amazed at how fitting it is me! Read on and see my take on the word RELEASE...

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." Ephesians 5:31

My husband went fishing last weekend and I have heard many fishing stories in the past week. So with that background in mind you will understand where I am going with the word release this week.

Parenting is the ultimate catch and release program. God gives us the perfect "catch", we measure that little one and take pictures proudly displaying our prize. And to us that baby is a prize, the best prize.  We don't have to release right away, but we know one day it is coming!

Years go by, we nurture and love and raise that sweet little "catch" to adulthood. We spend hours praying over and for that child. We spend many sleepless hours rocking and cuddling him back to sleep. We play games of catch in the backyard, we build numerous forts, we answer about a million and one questions that start with the word why.

Then comes the day, the day we have to release our catch. Last week my husband had to throw back anything over 19.5 inches. So, on Saturday, we will release our final catch, our son is over 19 and God has given us peace that it is time to release him. We aren't throwing him back though, we are releasing him to adulthood. At 6:21 pm our son will be standing at the end of an aisle watching his beautiful bride walking towards him to become his wife. This for parents is the ultimate release.

My emotions are unsteady this week. My heart is full, so full in fact that it is leaking out of my eyes. Release my son, am I ready? From the moment God gives us our children we know this day is coming, but is it possible to prepare the heart for the emotions of release? I'll get back to you on how that goes!