Mom praying God's promises for her daughter

Transitions in Motherhood

Transitions— we all have them, but sometimes they take us by surprise.

I’m driving on a lonely highway in rural Alaska. It is a bright, clear day with snow on the ground. Thankfully, the temperature is not too cold (-20 F). I’m on the way to the wedding of a friend’s daughter. The five-hour drive with only moose and mountains to keep me company allows for a lot of time to reflect.

Elaina, my oldest daughter, didn’t come with me on this trip because she needed to take the ACT this morning. With that thought comes a few tears.

How did my little girl grow up so fast?
Reality is hitting me hard.

Her time in my home is short. She is planning on going to school out of state. We’ve been preparing her to launch. But, is she ready? Have we covered all the bases? How will this transition affect her younger sister?

Elaina’s younger sister Sarah paddling down Alaskan river

Fortunately, I know the God who is all-knowing, not limited by time or space. Nothing is a surprise to Him! He knew Elaina before she was born. He knows exactly what Elaina’s future holds and His plans are to prosper her and not harm her. That doesn’t mean that everything will be easy for her, but it will all work out for good.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV

Years of praying in a Moms in Prayer group have helped me to memorize these promises for my children.

God loves them even more than I do. He has got this. I find peace in knowing that He will be with Elaina every step of the way, sometimes encouraging, sometimes carrying.

Elaina riding her Icelandic horse Leo

The truth is: Elaina is ready for this transition, but I don’t know if I am. It is a great comfort to me that Moms in Prayer is not just for elementary, middle or high school moms, but it is for all women who have a child who is close to their hearts. There is no reason to stop praying or meeting in a group because your kids have graduated from school. I would venture that our kids need prayer even more when they are no longer in our homes.

God has equipped us with His Word and the Holy Spirit to pray effectively for our kids.

Whether you have:
  • a kindergartener going to school for the first time
  • a middle schooler transitioning to a new building
  • a high school student looking to the future
  • a child going off to college
  • a special needs child striking out on their own
  • a child starting a new job
  • or a child getting married;

life is full of transitions.

God is there with you and so is your Moms in Prayer group. Many of the ladies in Moms in Prayer have walked through similar transitions themselves and are there to support you and pray for your children.

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NIV

Put on your spiritual armor and pray! God has the details and can do so much more than we can ask or imagine. Let us place our transitions in His capable hands and walk through this door together.

My prayer for you, as we move forward together, is from Romans 15:13: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen!

What promises of God have you prayed for your children? Comment below.

Jennifer Hanson is the Moms in Prayer Alaska State Coordinator. In the summer of 2015 while leading worship for a boat ministry, one of the tourists shared Moms in Prayer with Jennifer. When school began for her daughters, she joined a Moms in Prayer group in Valdez. Jennifer is married to Mark and they have two teenage daughters, Elaina and Sarah. Contact Jennifer at  AK@MomsInPrayer.org

The Hanson Family