It felt unusual. Peaceful but unusual. When we stepped of the plane in Nashville to visit our son, we were not there for Parents Weekend or setting up a new apartment or graduation. We have outlived our usefulness as parents. And so it was time to enter a new season. We would need to discover the new steps to the dance of parenting an adult child.
In some ways it looked like the old dance: coffee and conversation, attending concerts where he plays the guitar under bright lights, getting to know the new girlfriend over dinner. But in other ways it felt brand new. There was a freedom in between us. Like a subtle shift from being a patron to being a peer. I didn’t need to comment on the cleanliness of his car, inquire about his cash flow, buy him new clothes. He didn’t need to threaten to get a tattoo, drop out of school or get my permission to take a trip this summer. We could talk about spiritual goals, personal challenges, current events with mutual respect and trust. And now that I was released from the supervisory role, when he said, “Mom, I’m so glad you came, it was good to see you,” it felt whole, deeply satisfying.
Genuine long term relationships go through seasons. After Jesus completed his earthly life, his friends were adrift. How would they make sense of life without him seated across the table or teaching along the road? But instead of experiencing his absence, they began to experience his presence in a new way. Easter is the name not just of a day but of the season of a new way of being in relationship with the living Christ. An internal shift took place inside of them. And they were empowered to live in new ways.
How is the risen one appearing in your journey?
