“How do I get comfortable with the idea of leaving my baby with sitters — family members as well as qualified strangers? I’m okay when she’s with my husband; anyone else and I’m a wreck. This isn’t great for my peace of mind, plus I’m sure it’s VERY annoying for the sitters, as I’m calling home practically every half-hour to make sure the baby is still breathing.”

This question, asked by a new mother on an online forum, brought back memories of the day when Leone Simington, our neighbour in Kincaid, Saskatchewan, offered to look after Priya, our firstborn, so Sulojana and I could enjoy chicken wings in nearby Meyronne.

We were horrified at the thought of leaving our little bundle of joy with her, even though she was a certified practising grandma! Off we went, baby in tow.

Several years down the road, when Sulojana would drop Sathiya off at Play School, he would cry and cry. Then he would stand between the blinds and the window and continue crying as she drove off.

It was tough not to let his separation anxiety affect her.

(Later on, we would learn that as soon as Sulojana left, he would stop crying and start participating in the activities of the day…the stinker!)

A few years later, Sulojana and I were at a Conference in Orlando, Florida, when we received word that Jaya had to be hospitalized for an attack of the rota virus. Do we get on a plane and fly right back?

“No” said the attending doctor. “He’ll be fine. Just enjoy the rest of your time there.”

It wasn’t easy to stay on for three more days, but we did…and he was indeed fine.

Over the years, we have met many mothers who have had great difficulty letting their children out of their reach. Some, being gripped by fear of what could happen in their absence, turned out to be overbearing moms who ended up creating emotional problems for themselves and their children.

The Bible records how Samuel’s mother Hannah fulfilled a vow she had made before his birth by leaving him with Eli at the temple. Scholars suggest that he was no more than three when this separation took place.

How were you able to do this, Hannah? Here is her answer:

“I have dedicated him to God. He’s dedicated to God for life.” (I Samuel 1:28)

In Hannah’s words lies the key to overcoming separating anxiety. She simply surrenders her son to God’s purposes for his life. Now she can be at peace.

Sharon Wetzel, a DWOD subscriber, talks about how one of her sons once left home under stressful circumstances. No one had any idea where he was.

While his siblings tried frantically to find him, she simply prayed: “God, he is yours.”

That simple prayer of surrender helped her stay calm until he came home.

Just a few short years ago, Priya ran into a very stressful situation while teaching English in South Korea. I was contemplating the possibility flying there to get her out of the country.

The Lord told us to simply declare Psalm 91over her. That would be our act of surrender.

Sure enough, her circumstances changed. She would go on to spend another four years there before coming home for good earlier this week.

Yes, separation anxiety is a battle that all mothers face, but it is not limited to mothers, amen?

No matter what it is, we too would do well to follow Hannah’s example and simply turn our “babies” over to God. Amen?