Leave and Cleave

"‘Haven’t you read,’ He replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator “made them male and female,” and said, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh”? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.'"

Matthew 19:4-6

IT IS HARD for parents to give away their child in marraige. It is easy for parents to give away their child in marriage. These are mixed emotions that most fathers and mothers feel on the wedding day of their baby. I am happy the Lord brought the bride and groom together in holy matrimony, but I am sad to see them go. There is a hole in my heart.

But from the beginning our Creator made them male and female for the purpose of becoming one flesh. God’s desire for oneness with married couples can only happen by leaving father and mother and cleaving to Christ and one another. It is sad to see them go, but there is gladness, knowing they will grow in grace and in love for one another.

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).

In fact, our children are limited in their understanding of the Lord if they remain under our roof. For their faith to become more real and robust, they must become their own man or woman. Faith is meant to flourish from the foundation of a Christ-centered marriage. They become one flesh in Christ, so they can learn to passionately follow the Lord and serve others. Parents have the privilege of letting their children leave well and cleave well.

Therefore, trust God with the transition of your children into young adulthood. Do not hamper their growth by hovering, but hold them with an open hand, and watch the grace of God grow them into trophies of His truth. Let them go, and let them grow. The hole in your heart means you love them so much; so love large, and let the Lord fill your hole of sadness with His cup of gladness. Cleave to Christ as they leave and cleave to one another!

“But cleave unto the Lord your God, as ye have done unto this day” (Joshua 23:8 KJV).

Do I hold my child with an open hand? Am I cleaving to my spouse and Christ alone?