Leaving behind

Yesterday was my oldest daughter, Karlee's 8th grade promotion.  Today was her last day as an 8th grader.  Next year she will be a freshman in high school.  High School!  She came home so happy and excited and shouted out when she came in the house "I'm going to be in high school!" She also was followed by the two girls you see in the picture above.  They have been inseparable lately.  The last two afternoons in my house has been filled with three laughing, loud, silly happy girls.

I can't believe it has come to this point in her journey in life or mine for that matter (which makes me feel really old and I feel like I can finally understand where my parents were at during their time with me)

I look at the picture above of Karlee and two of her friends and it makes me think of how she is leaving a part her story behind and beginning a new chapter in her young life.  She is leaving behind the middle school drama battle field for starters. Leaving behind the elementary phase of being small and dependent on me.

She is leaving behind my "little girl" and moving forward as a young lady, a young woman.  Its crazy to think about it.  Lately I've been thinking back to when I was her age and the friendships I struggled to hang on to and the craziness of discovering who I was and wanted to become.

I know that as she continues to grow and change and journey through this life the one thing that will always bring me hope, comfort, and joy is knowing that her hand will always be held by her heavenly father no matter what part of her journey she is leaving behind or starting.

Lord thank you so much for blessing me with this young woman she brings joy to my life.  Thank you for not letting me guide, teach and love her all by myself, thank you for being there will us.  I pray that you continue to use me in her life and all my children's life in a way that will bring you honor and glory.