Leave and Cleave

I think one of the toughest things for a woman to do is leave her family and cleave to her husband. Many times it's not because the woman doesn't want to leave home and start a new life. It is many times the parents not willing to let her go. The job of a parent is to train that child up to become an independent adult. Not an easy job. It takes a huge commitment and some skill to train them. But it also takes a strength in letting them go. I am blessed in my life to have parents who encouraged me to get my life going with my husband. I was the first of three daughters to leave the city my parents are in and move away. I've been gone for 28 years. The day we moved to Georgia was a tough one. We had a moving van all ready to pick our things up and go on a Friday. We stayed at my parents house the night before. The next day the moving company called and said they had to postpone our move one day. I was fine until the next morning. The moving morning arrived and I couldn't move. I was frozen. I couldn't leave my parent's home. I cried and cried and didn't want to leave. I tried to put my makeup on and cried through it. I tried to eat breakfast and couldn't do it. My Mom looked at me, dry eyed and said, "Go." I thought that was harsh! What? You want me to leave? She walked me to the car and Tony and I took off. The minute we were out of town the fear and sadness left me. I was fine. I needed my Mom to help me go. I can't imagine what would have happened if she hadn't done that. Sometimes you have to be tough as a parent. Sadly, parents are so wrapped up in their children, they lose perspective and become their child's friend. This is not healthy for parent or child. Your spouse is your best friend, or should be. Your must develop that relationship. I encourage you to look at your child as an individual who needs to step out and live their own life. God has a huge plan for their life and you want that to happen for them. Marriage is a God idea and it works great. Leave and cleave!!! Chapter 2 comes next.