I’m hoping this blesses the mamas with chicks flying the coop or headed back to school. I wrote this years ago when we lived in Germany and my oldest was teetering on the edge of our nest.
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I’m loving the sunshine that recent days have gifted me.
The future is just right there.
Isn’t every parent walking a tightrope of sorts? Pulling the babies along, cheering them on. Feeling our way through the mist, unsure ourselves of where we’re going?
We trust His gentle voice to lead us both in the mist. [spacer height=”20px”]
But isn’t this where we’re supposed to live? Must we really see so far ahead? Shouldn’t we be in the only moment that’s ours? Right here. Right now?
[spacer height=”20px”]So I teach her how to inch her way from the now to the tomorrow. [spacer height=”20px”]
All I can do as the mama is teach her how to walk.[spacer height=”20px”]
I teach her who’s hand to hold when it’s not mine. [spacer height=”20px”]
Especially in the mist.[spacer height=”20px”]
As I blindly feel my way along, I’m holding onto HIM, and as I do, I’m dragging her behind. Especially when the way’s cloudy.
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The job of raising kids is to slowly edge me out of the chain.
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The mama needs to make sure the girl child is holding onto Jesus to take her through the mist. With both hands.[spacer height=”20px”]
The future is ALWAYS unclear.[spacer height=”20px”]
Remember, perfect vision only comes as we look behind! Circumstances change. Disappointments come uninvited. Tragedies strike. Uncertainties abound.
She learns endless ways of manipulating letters and numbers and concepts, but what she really needs to know is how to walk.
Oh my. Your writing has taken my breath away. This task of parenting our children, of "Feeling our way through the mist, unsure ourselves of where we're going?" This privilege and responsibility of teaching them "how to walk" and how to take His hand… You've captured the intensity of unprecedented emotions with eloquence and grace.
Thank you.
We're on the same schedule on different continents…my daughters are close to that big shift toward whatever is next.
Thank you for beautifully capturing the feelings and pointing out the critical role we play in the years (or is it months?) they remain directly under our care and tutelage.