As a tie-in to yesterday's post, Just Around the Corner, I'm feeling a little melancholy about some of my children's disappointments that Sam and I discussed with them yesterday. One received a job offer that just isn't going to work out for various reasons. The other is concerned about money, college, passing certification tests, etc. A long conversation into the night was filled with positive encouragement, hope for a brighter tomorrow, tasks to be focused on, and faith that it will work out. Sometimes, that's all we can go by...doing our part and having faith that the Lord will provide.
These two young people are stepping out of childhood and into adulthood and it's a bit of a shock. No matter how hard we try to prepare them, no matter how many experiences we provide for learning and growth, moving on to being a "grown up" is an adjustment that only the child can wade through, despite the desire as parents to carry them. Of course, this is the next step, necessary to their progression. But oh, sometimes I yearn to just wrap my arms around them and tell them that Mom will take care of them; not realistic or possible! Yet, the feelings are still there!
So, I gave them my own advice from yesterday's blog post. Keep climbing...the meadow is just around the corner. It all sounds good on paper. But when it's your children, you pray that it really is...and soon!
More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!
This is similar to the advice my dad always gave me. He tells a story about climbing Timp. He basically ran up and down it within a few hours. When he related it to an older and wiser hiker he replied "yes, but what did you see?" My dad says, enjoy the hike, it's not all just a steep incline, the meadows come up just when you think you can't go any further.
ReplyDeleteIt is a hard adjustment, especially when you just want things to work out for kids that are doing the right thing. I feel like some of the best encouragement to give them are the simple truths of the Gospel: Trust that God has a plan, He loves you, He wants you to be happy, and as we do our part He will do His. It hasn't always been comforting, but as you trust in that, your faith and optimism grows and regardless of what happens the plan is unfolding just the way he designed it. When you start seeing the whys, it gets really cool. You are a great mother Julie and your kids are so blessed to have you!
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