Our comings and goings

"May God in heaven protect you on the way and bring you back to me safe and sound; and may his angel accompany you for safety."

Tobit 5:17

This late-August time of year brings to mind many comings and goings in our lives. First it was us, going off to college that first time, or taking that job away from home. Even after all these many years, I can still go deep and find some of those feelings of anticipation and excitement. Later, it is our kids who leave home and we are the ones standing at the curb waving good-bye. Good grief! Where did those eighteen years go? Our lives are filled with comings and goings and they can sometimes be hard to navigate. But, whether we are the "Go-ers" or the "Stay-Behinders," we can rest assured our God is with us. I love this reading from Tobit, when Tobit is sending his son, Tobiah, off to find a wife. He says this blessing over the boy, completely unaware that the angel Raphael is Tobiah's traveling companion. If we parents could only arrange that each time our kids leave the house! Tobit's wife is crying, though, and says, "Why have you decided to send my child away? Is he not the staff to which we cling, ever there with us in all that we do?" This is not the time to cling to our children and expect them to stay with us in all that we do. It is a time for change and setting free. It is a time for driving off to new adventures. Today, as our lives continue to change and grow, let's give this blessing to those we love, whether they are going or already gone..."May God in heaven protect you on your way..." love, heidi