By Kayla DeKraker
Parenting can be hard, and Matthew and Emily West know this all too well. Now that their two girls are off on their own, the couple can’t help but share their concerns and prayers for their children.
In a discussion on “The Matthew West Podcast,” Emily shared how she prays for their kids: “The thing I find myself praying for both of our girls, often, is that they’re safe, you know?”
Matthew and Emily share daughters Luella “Lulu” and Delaney.
She continued, “I’m always praying for [Lulu’s] safety, especially now. She’s in North Carolina right now doing some missions work, and then she’s leaving.”
“And you know, Lulu is our free spirit,” Emily explained. “If someone had a van that said puppies on it, she would be the first one over there…because she loves people. She’ll talk to anybody.”
As nervous as Lulu’s vulnerability makes her mom feel, Emily knows she is safe in God’s will.
“What I just keep reminding myself is, in His will is the safest place for all of us to be,” she said. “Yeah, and she’s absolutely in His will, so she’s safe. And that’s been just trusting, trusting that the Lord is leading her, trusting that He’s got [her].”
In a post that shared a clip of the recent podcast conversation, fans chimed in with encouragement.
“Love this—she is safe in HIS will,” one person said. Another user added, “Definitely ‘safe’ in GOD’S Arms on this Missionary Trip and I have a feeling that this is the first of many Missionary Trips; once she finishes with all of the YWAM Training and her College Classes.”
Emily recently took to her Instagram account to encourage other parents whose children are leaving the nest.
“Hey Senior Moms, it’s going to be ok. You’re going to miss them (and their friends) like crazy. But watching them grow into exactly who The Lord has called them to be is beautiful,” she wrote.
She encouraged other moms to slow down and enjoy the summer with their children.
Emily concluded, “You’ve done an amazing job. They’re ready and if they’re not they’ll figure it out. God has them. He really does. They love you and they appreciate you. Now watch them shine.”
Related: Being a Dad Taught Matthew West This About God’s Love
Last year, West and his wife Emily sent Lulu off to college, though she later decided to go to YWAM. In an emotional interview, West described what it’s been like watching her grown up.
“There’s a good chance, on any given day, that if you walked into the West House, you’d see a grown man cry,” West told PEOPLE. “And that’s not my thing.”
He continued, “Just yesterday, our daughter came home from school, and she tried on her cap and gown,” West explained of his then 18-year-old daughter. “Of course, then my wife started crying. That’s just the season of life for us right now.”
Whether your children are in diapers or headed off to college, God is in control, and Wests are living out that reminder.
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