As moms, there are times when we want to fix things for our children.  Who are we kidding…there aren’t “times” – there is always.  Since I’m a mom, I can’t speak to how dads feel, but I imagine they feel this way too.  I’ll rephrase to include dads…as parents, there are times when we want to fix things for our children. 

When we take on the role of parent our lives as we knew them change in ways we only heard or read about in books.  One of those many changes is our capacity to see the future.  You know it’s true.  Your kid is running with something sharp, and you immediately know a fall is in his/her future.  Your child is playing with grandma’s pearls and you don’t need a crystal ball to tell you that you will soon be on your hands and knees trying to find all the scattered beads that are running all over the floor. Parents can tell the future.

I think it is the moments of “revelation” (we’ll call them) that help and hurt us as parents- or at the very least induce anxiety.  There is wisdom in revelation of course.  We intuitively know that anytime a two year old is running with something sharp will not turn out well.  That kind of future-telling/revelation - or just good common sense - is helpful.  But because we have so many “I knew it” moments early on, we may fall into the trap of thinking we can not only tell the future, but control it. 

As a mom of much older children than most of you reading this blog, I have experienced this firsthand.  My youngest is in the process of visiting colleges and trying to “figure it out” when it comes to what is next after high school.  We’ve had a lot of starts and stops as he’s made his way through his junior year.  In my attempt to ‘tell the future’…okay, control the future, I’ve given advice, ultimatums, consequences, encouragement, and encouragement disguised as advice, ultimatums, and consequences. 

I know what’s best…right? I’m the mom!  (I’m sure there’s a t-shirt for that somewhere)  Here’s the thing that the Lord has been working on in this momma’s heart…

I can’t see the future, pure and simple.  He has purposes and plans for all of us (Ephesians 2:10) which of course includes my son.  God’s purposes don’t change, even when we get off track.  I can rest in that…I have to rest in that.  I have to stop trying to control or even see the future.  God holds all things together and that alone gives me the peace I need to be hands-off. 

Moms will never stop wanting the best for their kids.  We wouldn’t be doing a very good job if we did, but we also have to remember that no matter how well we do, God does it better.  My prayer for my children is simple- that they will love and listen to the Lord more than they love and listen to their momma.

One last thought…as we make our way through Holy Week, I wonder how this very simple truth of knowing we cannot change the plans and purposes God has for our kids (we can only slow them down if we get in the way)- must have resonated and broken the heart of Mary.  Can you imagine what she was feeling as she saw her son walking to Golgotha carrying a cross?  She certainly knew full well where this was going, and I’m sure every part of her wanted to change the future.  We know on the other side of her pain, there would be resurrection and eternal joy, but she didn’t know that at the time. 

In light of that, it seems really silly for me to worry about how well my son will finish high school and where he will go to college. God’s plans and purposes for us do not change…we may slow them down…we may get off the path or hit a few speed bumps…we may even experience some pain along the way…but ultimately if we’re asking Him to lead, wherever we end up will be good. 

Let’s not try to see the future for our kids, but instead trust the One that holds their future in His hands. 
(But…I think He’s okay with you getting your toddler off the chair!)

This Week’s Announcements:
Ways you can help:
- This Sunday, April 20th is EASTER!  This is the Super Bowl of Sundays, and we can always use extra helping hands.  There are three services: 7am, 9am, and 11am.  We need help at 9am and 11am.  Please contact me at penny@stonebridgemarietta.org if you would like to know more about this opportunity to serve. 

What God is Teaching Us:
Click on the links below to view our lessons for the last two Sundays.  God is truly preparing our hearts for Easter!
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Funny Things Kids Do and Say…
One of our toddlers has a new “friend” as she has fallen in love with the teen helper in her room.  Her parents told the adult leader that when they woke up and were telling her that it was church day, she excitedly said, "See Andy?!"  They were racking their brains trying to remember a 1-2 year old named Andy and couldn't.  When they walked into 164 and she saw him, this sweet little girl lit up and pointed, "There's Andy!!"  It seems she likes older ‘men’ :)

One of our 4k boys asked if he could borrow the Lego Bible last week.  He wanted to take it home and have his dad read it to him. Not to be one to discourage the reading of the Word, I told him that he could indeed borrow it…especially if I could have a hug first.  (Yep, I bribe kids for affection)  After some time of looking at the Bible very excitedly, he looked up at me and asked, “If I give you more hugs, can I have it forever?!”  He gets me.