Mother Knows Best?
Have you ever thought you knew what was best for your child? As parents we have been chosen to help protect and mold our children. We kiss and bandage every boo-boo, dry all of their tears, bring comfort after every nightmare, and we come and swoop them up in the middle of any present danger. Indeed, we have been given a great responsibility to love and teach our children in just a short amount of time. It is an investment that is selfless and honorable. God recently taught me a valuable lesson in submitting to His will for my daughters life.
It all started when my, now high school senior, daughter informed me while in 8th grade that she wanted to be an elementary school teacher when she grows up. First let me say that I admire teachers and their contributions tremendously. I have personally seen the impact of great teachers in my children’s lives. Teachers put in long hours to love, guide, train and equip our children. Despite their sacrifices, our society doesn’t always value their impact. With that being said, it became my duty to convince my daughter that teaching was not the best choice for her and tried to steer her toward other careers. I enlisted friends, family and even strangers to join in on my crusade. At that time I believed I was doing everything in my power to protect her. To me, it was no different than me stopping her from running out into the road as a toddler or preventing her from touching a hot stove. I did not want her to choose a career that didn’t match my idea of her future. I was in full on mama bear mode!!! But was I really trying to protect her, or was I trying to control her choices through my own fears? Yikes!!!
Well, God has a way of revealing what our true motives are. He is faithful to intervene when we attempt to circumvent His plans. Even when we are doing it out of love for the ones most dear to us.
Retracting my mama bear claws
Last year my daughter became a summer camp counselor for a local community center. She loved it and always talked about “her kids”. At the end of the 6-week program we attended the students end of the summer performance. My daughter was all dressed up and was excited for the event. Once we arrived at the community center, she asked me to record her class performance. She was so excited and I graciously recorded the performance as they began to sing. As I was recording, something happened. My daughter’s “kids”, as she called them, were on the stage attentively following her, while she sat on the floor directing them. I suddenly recalled all the memories of her following her teachers directions during class performances. In that moment, I felt various emotions. I realized she was already a teacher! Then I felt a blow to my stomach and realized that I had been opposing the specific purpose that God designed for her. I apologized to her. Yes, as a parent there are times when we will need to apologize to our children! I then needed to reconcile my behavior with God. I realized that I was going directly against His perfect will for her life.
How did I get to this place? Surely, I trust God. I trust Him in so many ways and for so many things. I trust Him for MY dreams and MY purpose, but I was hesitant to trust Him for HER dreams and HER purpose. I finally realized that God had already planned for this! Back off mom!! LOL! Everything she needs to accomplish her dream and vision for her life has already been provided for her. It was only then that I saw she had been gifted with unconditional love for children, compassion, leadership and the fortitude to solve any problem she faces. God will always provide what is needed for our purpose to be fulfilled!
I’m thankful for God’s grace in teaching me the following:
Be humble and admit when you are wrong
It’s important as parents and leaders that we are quick to identify our error and apologize if we are wrong. Pride will definitely tell us to keep quiet. However, we honor each other when we practice humility. Value your connections with others before focusing on the need to be right.
Trust God completely
It’s important that we don’t solely rely on what we see and hear. We have to be careful that we don’t just rely on our own intellect and understanding. God’s plans are perfect even when we don’t understand them. Know that He is setting you and your family up for success when you trust in His plan. He has already supplied the resources for what He has purposed for your life. You can believe that He will do what He said He will do! All His Promises are Yes and Amen!
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
La-Kita
What’s your biggest takeaway from today’s post? Share in the comments.