"I'm not a baby"

Easter Sunday. Crowded church hallway. I grabbed my 8-year old son's hand to work our way through the crowd back to the 2 year old class. Once we are in the clear, he jerks his hand away and tells me, "I am not a baby". I felt pain in my chest. I'm hurt and I'm a little angry b/c he sounds a wee bit disrespectful (who am I kidding - it was rude, right?). We walk down the hall, not talking. He sulks in the church service and I am ready to send him off to boarding school. Then at the last song, we sing "He's Alive". Jacob stands on the pew beside me and puts his arm around me and his head on my shoulder...

He IS still my little boy. Will I always see him that way - probably. I know I have to start letting go, little by little. Tears sting my eyes as I hear him say, "I am not a baby."

I pray the Lord will grow Jacob to be a young man who loves Him and serves Him. If that means Mama has to let go, then Lord help me to do just that!