Who Am I?

By Kim Roberts

My youngest child is about to leave for college. The dorm supplies have been purchased, clothes sorted and packed, paperwork filled out, schedules completed, ID and parking pass are in hand. I guess she is ready.

But, as we quickly approach this milestone, I find myself asking quietly, “What am I supposed to do now?”

I have spent the last 29 years as a mother. You know the one that is always the first to volunteer for everything at school, the room mom, parent club president and even substitute teacher from time to time. Over half my life has revolved around my children and all their day-to-day needs and activities.

I am dreading the silence that we are about to face in an empty house without laughter, family meals, after-school activities and homework.

I have been trying to look at the positive side of this – we have accomplished some major goals as parents. All three of our children are good, happy people; they are close to one another and have graduated from high school with honors. Two have graduated from college and are successful. And, our last, is well on her way.

I guess in all the hub bub of raising three children I didn’t think about the what happens after they all-leave-the-house part.

So, I ask myself now, who am I? I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend, but most importantly I am a child of God. I need to remember that God is my father and that he loves me and is guiding me through this new phase of my life. “For I know well the plans for your welfare, not for woe! Plans to give you a future of hope. When you call me, when you go pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, you will find me with you, says the Lord” (Jeremiah 29:11-14a).