She's Growing Up On Me

My oldest, Kim, opened her own checking account today.  I just sat there with her, realizing that this was a big step for my daughter.  She's legally an adult.   She graduated high school a couple weeks ago.  She's completely signed up for her first semester classes for college.  She's been, so far, totally responsible with the money people gave her as gifts from her open house.  In just a little over a week, she will fly, on her own, to Louisiana to visit her father and his family.

All I can think is, She is growing up on me.  I've seen it coming for a very long time.  Now that it seems to be here, I can only watch amazed at the woman she is becoming.  No longer the teenage high schooler, she has had to make some tough choices recently.

I sometimes struggle with her being so independent.  I feel like she should still be my spunky ten year old.  Instead, she is a beautiful, intelligent, talented, good-hearted eighteen year old with a heart for Jesus and a yearning to do mission work.  She has struggled with type 1 diabetes since she was thirteen, and many times she has let it get the best of her.  Yet, slowly, she is taking charge and getting her attitude right about a disease she doesn't want to hold her back. 

The years have flown by, and I know that one day she will leave home for all the adventures God has planned for her.  She says God has told her to stay home one more year.  I didn't object.  My mother's heart doesn't want to let her go.  I do realize that the day is coming when God will send her to follow his plans.  For now, I know he is preparing her heart for what he has in store.  He's also preparing mine to release this girl from my control into his totally.  I know she belongs to him.  She has since I got pregnant with her.  He created her and knew her and had plans for her before I was born. I may want to hold my girl close, but I have to trust God to keep her in the palm of His hand.