Double Vision
Written by Jen Monday, 13 April 2009 23:57
Blog
I recently had that experience with one of my children. Upset by a number of obstacles, my son sat looking forlorn with his head in his hands. In one moment, I heard his infant cries and glimpsed his wispy toddler curls. I felt the warmth of his baby's body asleep in my arms, and watched myself pick him up after a tumble down the stairs. His chubby little arms wrapped around my neck as I squeezed him tightly and wiped away his tears. Oh, how I wanted to cradle that little boy once again and make everything better!
And yet, though I can offer a kiss, a hug, an encouraging word and a pat on the back, it is too late for anything more. My motherly affection is permitted only in socially acceptable doses. My son is searching for his own answers, wanting to make his own decisions and yes, making plenty of mistakes.
Watching a train wreck in slow motion might be easier than seeing the past and the future all at once.
We moms find ourselves wondering when to interfere, when to step away and when to just observe. Standing firm in our convictions and our expectations is oftentimes gut-wrenching. And like our children, we make mistakes. We sometimes say the wrong thing, make the wrong choice and mess things up royally.
What to do then? Well, clean up the debris; admit our shortcomings and say yet another prayer for guidance...then pay attention to the divine voice rather than the sounds of those around us. Listen more and react less impulsively.
Once a week I meet with Moms in Touch at my church to pray for our children, our families, our community and our world. The needs of our children and our hopes for their future are the catalysts that prompt our small circle to gather despite the weather, packed schedules, illness and malaise. These friends are my parenting barometer. They inspire in me the wish to do better and the strength to yield control to the One who truly makes no error, whose vision is perfect.
