Praying with Scripture for College Moms

Elizabeth Tomlin shares meditations on three Scripture passages that bring her comfort and hope as she contemplates her emptying nest.

My daughter is a high-school senior navigating college applications and anticipating the freedoms of college life. While sharing in her enthusiasm, I recall how my mom heart broke in August of 2020 when I moved my oldest son from our home in Washington State to college in Virginia. I wrote about that on Catholic Mom, and how I perceived within my “college mom grief” a call from God to love my young adult son differently.

As I look toward my daughter’s departure into her young adult life, I’m allowing myself to feel those tingles of mom grief. At the same time, I’m trying to do a better job of listening and perceiving the ways in which God has prepared me to support my daughter and praying with Scripture through this transition. I’m sharing with you today three Scripture passages that bring me comfort and hope.

Giving Thanks for Motherhood with Sarah – Genesis 21:2,6

I’m giving thanks for the gift of being a mother and praying with Sarah who did not think that she would ever bear a child. When the Lord told Abraham that Sarah would have a son, she laughed. We laugh when we’re surprised, incredulous, amused, and happy.

Scripture: 

Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time that God had stated. Sarah then said, “God has given me cause to laugh, and all who hear of it will laugh with me." Genesis 21:2,6

Meditation:

Recall a time when a child has brought laughter to your life.

God Loves my Child Even More than I do – Jeremiah 1:4-8

Do you ever try to control situations when you’re afraid or anxious? Me too. In looking at colleges, I encouraged my daughter to explore any school that interested her. At the same time, I did mom research and made suggestions. If I’m honest, I want my daughter to go to the right school for her, but I also want to feel comfortable with her choice. Is that fair? Is that controlling? I’m not sure, but it’s truthful.

Praying the Lord’s words to the prophet Jeremiah helps me to be mindful of my instinct to control. It propels me to trust that the God who formed Jeremiah, consecrated him, appointed him as a prophet, equipped him to speak to the nations, and was a constant presence for Jeremiah, similarly forms, appoints, equips, and accompanies my children even more closely than I can.

Scripture:

The word of the Lord came to me: 5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. “Ah, Lord God!” I said, “I do not know how to speak. I am too young!” But the Lord answered me, Do not say, “I am too young.” To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you—oracle of the Lord. (Jeremiah 1:4-8)                                                                  

Meditation:

When you feel the urge to control, recall the verbs of these verses. God forms, consecrates, equips, and accompanies our children.

Expect Goodness: Sing with Praise like Miriam – Exodus 15:19-21

My oldest son is now a junior in college, and I can see how God has moved me beyond the fear of his departure from home and away from my urge to smother-mother him. God has brought forth maturity and independence in my son, and I’m thankful for that.

Praying with Miriam reminds me to hope and to praise what awaits as my daughter leaves for college next year. You’ll recall that the Israelites baked unleavened bread before they crossed the sea “because they were thrust out of Egypt and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any provisions” (Exodus 12:42). Yet, upon crossing the sea, Miriam took out her timbrel (tambourine) and began to dance and sing a song of praise: the first song of praise by a woman to be recorded in Scripture. Miriam’s hope inspires me.

Scripture:

When Pharaoh’s horses, chariots and horsemen went into the sea ... Then Miriam, the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels dancing. Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted; Both horse and his rider he has hurled into the sea.” (Exodus 15:19-21)

Meditation:

As prophetess Miriam expected God’s favor. Where do you anticipate God’s favor in your life and your child’s life? How will you pack your tambourine? “Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously.”

3 Scripture passage that can bring consolation as you contemplate your emptying nest. #CatholicMom

Copyright 2023 Elizabeth Tomlin
Images: Canva