Wasn't going to post this here, but changed my mind... Happy Reading!

At first I thought this "post" wouldn't fit on this page because my hope is for this to minister to families with young children... But after some thoughts and prayer, I am... Because like my mom, you could have an 6 and 4 year AND an 18 and 16 year old. So to you, I write!

Totally true story... and life lesson from God to my mom heart!

This week, we had an unexpected visitor show up at our house — two nights in a row.

A big, beautiful husky. Well-groomed. Friendly. Smart. Wearing a collar… but no identification. HUSKY!

He was so sweet with Molly and Lucy (even though they are still working on kindness and patience).

He hung around our property, and when I came in from putting the chickens and ducks up for the night…

he laid right down on our front stoop.

Monday night, we assumed he was lost.

We posted him on NINE different community pages.

Guess how many people responded?

ONE. And only a share!

Thanks, Dorothy.

So we did what we thought most people would do!

We brought him into the garage, gave him water, and waited, and listened to his beautiful singing!

Danny decided to run to get him a dog bed, and while he was gone, I brought him inside to sniff around the basement…

Then it hit me after he was inside — leg hiking may be a thing... YIKES!

And yep… he proved me right!

Thankfully, it was on a bag of trash

Back to the garage he went!

We kept checking the posts. Nothing.

Eventually, we let him out to potty…

And off he ran into the dark.

Gone!

Gone!!

Gone!!!

Living in the country, we figured maybe he was like what our BearBear used to do — wandering to neighbors, enjoying a little freedom.

So we took the posts down and trusted he’d be okay.

But I thought about him all night.

Wondering if “Shia LaPoof” made it home safely.

The next day around 4:30, I’m driving home…

And there he is.

Right at the turn to our gravel road!

He dawdled through the neighbor’s yard, came back to ours, peeked through the front door, ran to the back — taunting Molly and Lucy like, “Hey remember me, can I come in?”

Same sweet dog!!

Same gentle soul!!

He even helped me round up the last chicken and get her into the coop like a pro! Awww!

Then… he wandered off again.

That night, when Danny got home and walked in the door — Shia LaPoof walked in right behind him like he’s done it a million times!

Molly and Lucy LOST IT!! OH DEAR!

And this sweet boy? Walked straight past their angry squeaky barks to their food and water like it was home sweet home!

I was shocked!

And honestly… WOWed in the best way!

He left again that night.

Off into the dark.

**** And here’s the lesson… almost done ****

Parenting is hard in every season.

Potty training.

Sleep training.

Routines.

Activities.

Hobbies.

Schools.

Friends.

Choices.

Church community.

And then wondering and worrying if we chose right choices!

We invest everything into our kids for 18 years…

And then we’re told to let them go.

Let them make mistakes.

Experience heartbreak.

Live with consequences.

Really???? YEP!!

And that night, thinking about Shia, I wondered:

• Should we have chased him?

• Should we have done more?

• Would people judge us for letting him go?

And then it hit me…

It doesn't matter!

He wasn’t mine.

He belonged to someone else.

He was strong.

Capable.

Able to find his way.

And God whispered to my heart:

“Traci… that’s parenting.”

“Your children were never yours to keep.”

“They were entrusted to you for a season — but they are Mine.”

“And I go with them everywhere they go.”

And then, I bawled!

We think 18 years is such a long time.

We pour everything into them (and I’d do it all over again — every moment with my girls was my favorite moment, even the hard ones).

But we don’t own them.

We can’t control their path.

They get to walk their own steps.

They’ll make missteps.

And we get to pray.

We get to trust.

We get to keep the door open.

When they come home — my kitchen is open.

Their beds are there.

And my heart is full of joy.

And I'll always hope they know wherever I am it will be home sweet home for them and they can walk on in like they have done a million times!

Our kids are a gift!

They are ours to love and raise to know Jesus, but ultimately they are God’s beautiful handiwork, masterpieces, purposed to make the world a better more beautiful place!

So we trust them to step into the world.

BUT...

We never stop praying.

We always welcome them home with love, grace, and joy.

I’ll be the first to admit — I've been frustrated and responded from fears — I’ve tried to control. I feel like I want to KNOW EVERYTHING because I know a thing or two...

Thinking, “This is best for you!”

But truthfully… I don’t even always know what’s best for me, and honestly, I do know a thing or two, but only because I've learned through heartbreaks and mistakes!

So I’m learning to trust the One who goes with my girls, just like I trust him with my life, too!

 If you made it this far — thank you.

 I don’t know who this is for… but it was for me.

I’m still working through sleepless nights and worried thoughts.

But now, when anxious thoughts come, I turn it into prayer.

Because I don’t always know — but God does.

And if He knows… I can rest a little easier-ISH!!

I’m a work-in-progress mom (with beautiful amazing wonderful adult daughters!)

But I’m progressing with the Lord.

Happy Parenting

It really is my favorite thing.

And whether your kids are 0, 18, 26, or 41 (that one’s for my mom )…

Trust them to the Good Good Father!!

He loves them more than we ever could!!

Much Love!