Crazy thing happened as I turned off the annoying bell that
consistently ruins my perfect sleep. I
rolled over only to find empty pillows.
I sat up quickly to scan the bed only to find empty space. Must be ‘take your kids to work day’ and my
husband failed to mention that detail. . .NOPE.
It happened. A night completed
without a sleepover occurring in our room.
Now I understand why I feel so rested this morning. No kick in the back, arms flailing around my
neck or talking heard throughout my night.
A range of emotions surged through as my morning routine
changed a bit (OCD challenged at 5:00 AM before
coffee = difficult beginning). I began
making my bed instead of the kid’s and tip-toed when laying out their clothes. I felt proud of my children and praised God
for this big step both kids made. Okay,
so maybe they were just exhausted and slept solid throughout the night, but
hey, as a parent you take what you can get.
Both kids display one step closer toward maturity. I look at them sleeping and see how fast time
lapsed. I felt sad to know the
dependency level decreases each day. I
felt nervous for what’s to come. I felt
excited as I recall the fun times lived thus far and the lessons taught to all
of us. God’s Hand never left our lives
from the start and will remain each and every day. All this before coffee! Wow, I need a nap already. . .the intensity
of this morning is too much! J
What to do with all the emotions this early? Write about it. Come along for the ride if you would like. .
.Have you ever experienced the moment when an event, word spoken or person seen
triggers a memory? I often experience
such a time. My mind puts me right back
in the moment. . .to the point I even feel the same emotion I did that very
moment in time. Well, seeing my children
grow and now both venturing out from under my shelter floods my mind with my
past. I remember the helpless moments
following the crowd just to ‘fit in’, the decisions creating lasting effects,
the nights returning home filled with regrets, the broken hearts, the hearts I
broke, etc. How can I prevent all this
in my children’s lives? Sad truth is
that I cannot. The world will throw
various situations in front of each child.
I cannot be there to guide, help, decide for them or erase any
regrets. I cannot mend a broken
heart. I’m of no use now to my kids,
right? They feed themselves, clothe
themselves, soothe themselves to sleep, walk, take care of their own hygiene
and talk for themselves. Is my job done
as a mom?
Oh, most certainly, it is NOT! My role did not decrease in responsibilities.
. .it increased. I now have the
privilege of pouring my heart out to God for protection over my child’s day. He will respond. I mature daily as I clean up my act so to set
an example I wish for my children to follow.
God will continue to change me so He is pleased with my leadership and
teaching. I now provide freedom to my
children, increasing independence all while continuing to point them toward
God. He will have all the answers. Daily, we fill our children with Scripture,
taking every opportunity seen to teach and guide them to His Truth. Nightly, we read devotions with our children
and pray the lessons impress deep in their hearts.
Ugliness fills my past.
Some of the same ugliness may creep into my children’s lives. But, I know that forgiveness exists, beauty
arises from ashes, ministry comes through trials and our sins wash away clean when
we claim Jesus as our Lord and Savior. I
laid it all at the cross and now ask to be used in any way He desires so others
may realize His Hand remains open at all times.
All we (and our children) need to do at any moment is grab His Hand and
hold tightly. He will bring us out of
any pit this world tries to dig. He takes
the pieces of a broken heart and mends it stronger than before. He will guide our steps all while shining His
light through us. He will send His
angels to watch over us, discerning right from wrong. He will wash away any sin as we repent and
ask for forgiveness. I never knew this.
. .now I do. I pray each and every one
of you come to know this Truth as well.
No matter the age. . .His Truth stands and His Hand remains open. Will you grab His Hand today?
Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig
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