My kids are already better humans than I was at their age. But that doesn’t stop me from expecting and hoping for more from them. My beautiful bride and I have worked tirelessly for 20 years to prepare and provide for them. We have tried to raise them to strive for better. Not better stuff, but to BE better and to FEEL better. We have tried to focus on contentment and doing things that bring them joy; to serve others as opposed to chasing self-righteous fame and money. We have tried to raise them to be independent thinkers and to do the right thing, always. And while they may make missteps along their paths, they are walking with Christ and are living the values we have tried to instill. They are great kids young adults.
Now, as parents, we are struggling with the transition from teacher, protector and provider to bystander. They are reaching the age of life-long decisions. They are in a stage of life where they must take the lessons they have learned and apply them with full responsibility and accountability. They are not yet fully independent, but they are emerging from the cover of our parental shield. And that is extremely difficult to accept and allow. It’s very hard to shed the role of protector and watch them walk exposed to the dangers of this world. Logically and mentally I know they are prepared. We know that they are far more prepared than I was at their age. We know that they have the Greatest Protector they could have, and they are far closer to Him and His protection than I was at their age. We know that they will make the right decisions, and when they falter they are prepared to handle it and recover. I know of this logically. Why does it make us so angry when one of them doesn’t do it the way we would? Why do we get so uncomfortable when what seems important to them, doesn’t seem important to us, or vice versa? Knowing, logically, that they are going to be okay and that they have a good foundation to build their lives on – why is it so hard to step back and let go?
I can’t help but think that maybe this is a similar to how God feels about me. He has given me every lesson He can offer. He has even provided a guide book. But He still watches with great concern and interest as I make my decisions, some good and some not-so-good. He probably cringes a lot. He probably shakes His head a lot. He probably gets worried and angry and concerned. He is probably tempted to step in and forcibly change my direction. But unlike me, He knows how this turns out. This is where I find great comfort with my children. Because I know that my children are His children. And while my job of shepherding them was very important – He will never forsake them. This realization is the only thing that makes it possible to let go.
I mean eventually it will make it possible, when I do actually let go… I would imagine.
Dadvotionals 