August 27
Letting
Go
"Start children off on the right path. And even when they are old, they will not turn away from it."
Proverbs 22:6 (NIrV)
Rose clung to her mother’s leg, her small fingers tightening with every passing second. The schoolyard buzzed with activity—children laughing, parents chatting, teachers trying to guide students inside—but Rose didn’t move. Her new backpack, pink with tiny white stars, sagged off her shoulders. Tears welled in her big brown eyes as she shook her head. “I don’t want to go, Mommy. Please, don’t make me.”
Emma crouched beside her daughter, her heart twisting painfully. She had expected Rose to be nervous, but she hadn’t expected this. The lump in her own throat was nearly impossible to swallow. This was her baby—her tiny, giggling, curly-haired girl who had once needed her for everything. And now, she was supposed to let her go?
Behind her, James, Rose’s father, cleared his throat. His usual steady voice wavered. “You’re going to be okay, sweetheart. School is going to be so much fun.” But even as he said it, Emma knew he was speaking as much to himself as he was to their daughter.
The first day of school. They had known it was coming, had prepared for it, had prayed over it. But nothing could prepare them for this moment—the moment of release, of stepping back, of trusting that the foundation they had laid for Rose would be enough.
The teacher approached gently, crouching to Rose’s level. “Hi, Rose. My name is Miss Taylor. We have a spot just for you in class. You’ll get to color, read stories, and even make new friends.”
Rose wiped at her tears with her sleeve but stayed rooted to the spot. Emma felt her own eyes sting. Maybe she wasn’t ready. Maybe she should just take her home and try again tomorrow. But then, James took Emma’s hand and whispered, “We have to let her go.”
Emma exhaled shakily. This was the right thing. The hardest thing, but the right thing. Kneeling, she placed her hands on Rose’s shoulders. “Sweetheart, do you remember the song we sing at bedtime?”
Rose sniffled. “The Jesus one?”
Emma nodded. “That’s right. And do you remember what we say before you go to sleep?”
Rose hesitated, then whispered, “Jesus is with me.”
Emma’s throat tightened. “That’s right. He’s with you at home, He’s with you at school, and He’s with you right now.”
Rose glanced at the teacher, then back at her parents. Slowly, she loosened her grip. The moment she let go, Emma felt something deep inside her crack open—fear, love, pride, all tangled together.
And then, Rose took Miss Taylor’s hand.
As their daughter walked toward the school doors, Emma and James stood frozen, watching. It hurt. But it was also beautiful.
As they turned to leave, James squeezed Emma’s hand. “We did it.”
Emma took a shaky breath. “No,” she said softly, “God did.”
Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Letting go is one of the hardest things to do.
Whether it’s a child stepping into a new season of life or trusting You with the unknown, we struggle to release what we love.
But You remind us that when we raise our children in Your truth, they will never be alone.
Help us to trust You in the moments of fear, to have faith that You walk with our loved ones even when we can’t.
Thank You for being present in every step, guiding, loving, and protecting.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
