Several years ago as I was finishing up some bills at my desk, I had the urge to call my son who was away at college. Looking at the clock, I hesitated. “Maybe he’s in bed”, I thought to myself. “It is almost 11:00.” I knew it was wishful thinking on my part to believe that a college student would actually be in bed that time of night, but I talked myself out of the call anyway.

At the time I had no idea that my husband who was in the other room was having the same urge to call the same son around the same time. As I came into the bedroom, I saw my husband hang up the phone. You see, he had followed his instinct and called. The only problem was that he got voicemail.

Within minutes, the phone rang. It was our oldest returning our call. “Dad, sorry I couldn’t get to the phone. I was at the gym when you called. I’ve got some friends taking me to the hospital. I think I may have broken my foot. I’ll call you when I know more.”

Of course, as a mother standing on the sidelines listening to one side of the conversation, I had a million and one questions. My husband encouraged me to go to bed telling me we’d probably know the answer in a few hours. With the ringer on the phone turned up as loud as it could go, I reluctantly climbed in bed.

I don’t know about you, but these are times when as a mother, I realize what treasures my children really are. When they are hurting I want to be there for them, hold them in my arms, and assure them everything is going to be okay. But here I was more than a two hour drive away and I was helpless. I still had no real data. Only the parting words my son gave my husband, “Dad, I think this is really bad.”

It’s times like this that I not only treasure my children, and my husband for following his instincts, but I also treasure my father in heaven who loves my children more than I do. He is their creator and I have to put my trust in him to take care of them (after all, they’re His children, too). It’s totally up to Him when I can’t be there.

Matthew 6:20-21

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

At 3 am the phone woke me from a restless sleep. “Someone is taking me back to my apartment, Mom. The doctor said it’s shattered. I have to be back at the hospital at 9 am for surgery.”

A Mother’s Nightmare.

At 6 am I woke once again to make the two hour drive. Wouldn’t you know it, several inches of snow lay on the road with schools closed. The interstate was shut down close to our home. It didn’t matter. I would be there to pick him up. He does need to know that I treasure him.

By the grace of God, I did arrive to pick him up on time. I helped him gather the things he would need. “Mom, you didn’t need to make the trip. I could have managed. I have friends that could have taken me.”

“Matt, I know. But you do realize that I wanted to be here for you if at all possible.”

“Yeah, Mom. I know. I do appreciate it,” he grinned.

It’s easy as parents to be there for our adult children when they are physically hurting. It’s easier to treasure the relationship with them when they most likely are willing to accept our help. But the real question is, “Are you there for them when they are emotionally hurting?” Do you treasure them when they think they’ve got it all together or won’t accept your advice?

Our children are our legacy. Dare you to reach out to your 20-something today to show them how much you treasure them.

“Let go…and let God”,

Hope you will join Nina Roesner as she provides insight on marriage and Leah Heffner as she blogs to wives with little people as we go through The Respect Dare together.