School is over. My son, my youngest child, graduates from high school next week.
As I spread mayonnaise onto a piece of bread, I realize this is the last sandwich I’ll make for my son to eat at school. No more brown-bag lunches filled with sandwiches, chips, and sliced apple.
Only the Lord knows how many hundreds of school lunches I’ve prepared when I multiply them by three children. My son offered to make his lunch, but years of habit evolved into my morning ritual.
Last evening, I attended our last High School choir concert. While my eyes were fixed on my son’s clean-shaven face, I remembered another concert years ago. The elementary-aged children held battery-operated candles as they sang. Well, most children held them. My third-grade son used his candle to sword fight with the boy next to him.
Today my son’s strong body towers over me. His deep voice is reminiscent of a Bass Cello. I love to hear him sing. So when the choir sang the last note in the last song of his last concert, tears clouded my vision.
My son isn’t obsessed with last moments. He’s ready to raise anchor and leave shore, bound for new horizons. I’m excited for him, but this melancholy mom cradles last moments.
What emotions swept over Jesus when he ate the last Passover Meal with his disciples?
Jesus knew it was their Last Supper. “The time has come for me, the Son of Man, to enter into my glory….Dear children, how brief are these moments before I must go away and leave you!” (John 13:31-33)
Although Jesus had warned his disciples this day would come, they panicked:
“Lord, where are you going?”
“Why can’t I come now, Lord?”
“We haven’t any idea where you are going…”
It may have been their Last Supper, but it wasn’t the end of their relationship with Jesus.
“Don’t be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” (John 14:1-3)
For three days, the disciples were derailed by their circumstances…the trial and death of Jesus. They ran and hid. Peter denied knowing Christ. They might have lost all hope for tomorrow if not for Jesus’ words. “You have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.” (John 16:22)
True to His word, Christ was resurrected and appeared to them before he left them and was taken up to heaven. And his disciples were “filled with great joy.”
Likewise, our sorrowful moments…even the last ones…can become joyful when we trust Jesus and keep our eyes on Him.
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Even In This 
I can so relate. I have a tough time letting go of loved ones–even if it’s just releasing them to the future God has for them.
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During graduation, we sang a praise song with the words, “I am yours.” The lyrics reminded me that my son belongs to the Lord. I’ve raised my child, and I can confidently let go.
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My youngest child is also graduating this year – so sad! But also happy – it’s bittersweet. I’m happy for her and excited about her future, but we sure will miss her sunny day-to-day presence in our home. Plus just being an end of an era is hard. Will your son be close to home next year? Our daughter will be at a college 4 1/2 hours away, so not too far.
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Congratulations on your daughter’s graduation. “End of an era” is the phrase I also keep using.Our son is going to college on the other side of the moon. No weekend visits, but that’s okay. He’s so involved in life, I rarely see him now. 🙂 Enjoy your celebration!
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Mothers relate to this one especially. Tender thoughts.
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Yes, despite different backgrounds etc, mothers can relate on so many levels when it comes to raising children. I know you can relate!
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Loved this one!!
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Glad you enjoyed the post! Thank you for commenting!
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You sure do know how to tug on our emotions! Very good question about how Christ might have felt about leaving disciples!
Sent from my iPhone
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What can I say? I’m an emotional person! I think Jesus loved his disciples and was protective. He calls them Dear children, and the moment must have been bittersweet. He knew Peter would deny him despite his boast that he was ready to die for Jesus. He knew Thomas would doubt his resurrection until He put his fingers into the nail holes. And still, Jesus loved them just as He loves us. Read the prayer in John right before He went to the Garden. Beautiful!
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Great post, Karen! It resonated deeply with me…though I didn’t have three “lasts” even the one was sentimental and difficult. The bittersweet thing is tough. God bless…
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Susan, I’m glad the post touched your heart. You are an example of how life changes when our child graduates, but it doesn’t diminish the relationship between mother and son.
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