2013-12-18 - From Lawns to
Streets
When our kids were about three and five-years-old they each got battery operated
little cars from my stepfather. I cannot remember if it was for birthdays
or Christmas, but I do remember how excited they were to be able to ride
around either alone or with a friend in their very own car. We had a pretty
big back yard and a long driveway so the property was conducive to them making
the most of those little cars and so they did. I really didnt worry
much about them getting injured in them as the way they were designed it
was pretty hard to have a bad wreck. I was thrilled for them to have a new
measure of independence.
More recently, my youngest is now almost 18 and he and I have been going
out for him to practice driving. Our daughter did a lot of her practicing
with her dad, but for the moment my dear hubby is on crutches so I get to
be the one out with our son much of the time. Hes almost finished with
his drivers education class and after some more practice behind the
wheel, hell be ready to take himself across town to community college
to begin classes. I can tell you that the excitement level for me at this
particular juncture is a little different from when they played in those
battery operated cars that were hard to hurt and hard to hurt each other
too. My stress level is higher and its mostly my concern for my
childrens safety with the way people drive with little thought to what
theyre doing. Youve been on the road; you know what Im
talking about. And some of my stress is this type of letting go is a little
harder too.
Theres a lot more thats out of our protective zone as parents
when the kids drive off in the car; much more to lose than a piece of plastic
or a damaged toy. The life weve spent so many years nurturing, guiding,
and loving is now an individual that is beginning to go out on their own
in places we cant protect them.
As I thought about all this the other night when I reminisced about how sweet
those younger years were, I thought about how God longs for us to let go
too. But He wants us to let go of things so He can handle them for us, knowing
were really quite incapable without Him. Not to mention the fact Hes
an amazing Father and wants to take care of us. And so I should be comforted
that when I am letting go of my kids to go do whatever God has in mind for
them that He will also be wrapping His arms around them. I am not just tossing
them out to the wolves. And there is no guarantee that things will always
turn out the way I think they should go, but they will go how they ought
to go to fulfill His will. Besides, my job has been to work for Him getting
them ready. If I dont let go then they cant learn and He cant
use them.
Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe
in God; believe also in me. (John 14:1 NIV)
Deborah Durrett
cfpraydeb@gmail.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org
CFD | December
2013 | Deborah's Devotions |
Yesterday's Devotion |
Devotional Topics
|