When I was a little girl, I remember always running to Mom every time I needed something or whenever I felt scared or troubled. It's amazing how just one kiss from her can make a boo-boo suddenly feel better; and soothing words like, "It's alright, everything will be okay" can make the monsters go away and the world a brighter place to be. Moms have a way of comforting children that makes us look up to them in admiration and say, "She's the best! She's the bravest! When I grow up, I want to be just like her!"
When I became a mom however, I realized soon enough the other side of the story. Moms aren't always brave. In fact we worry all the time! We worry about the littlest things, like our toddlers scraping their knees or our grade-schoolers not finishing their packed lunches. I'm pretty sure when my sons become teenagers, I will be worrying a lot more about different sorts of things.
This "worry" nevertheless stems from our love--and ironically, the same love that knows no fear and enables us to brave the monstrous of storms. It is the kind that would be willing to cross the farthest seas and climb the highest mountain for our children's sake. No matter how old they get, we will forever be thinking of them because "we will be loving them forever, liking them for always, and as long as we're living, our babies they'll be." I guess moms were created with hearts bigger than our bodies so as to hold as much love that will fuel us to care and nourish 24 hours a day/7 days a week. You see, moms were not only programmed to preach (from her kitchen table/pulpit, at least), but also to protect. It is in our nature to nurture. However, it is when our love is powered by our own strength that we begin to worry and fall short because we know our limits. On the contrary, when we draw the love we give away from the wellspring of God's love, then we are able to walk on water because "perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18).
 |
| a page from the book, "Love You Forever" written by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Shiela McGraw & published by Firefly Books |
"I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
My baby you'll be."
--Robert Munsch
I have thus to understand the fact that there will soon be times and places where I can no longer go with my kids to hold their hands or simply just be there for them. There will be circumstances they'll eventually have to face all by themselves. Some things are just beyond my control. And I'll just have to keep learning to let go and let God. As much as I'd like to attempt the impossible for my kids, I know I'd be able to do a better job by entrusting them into the Father's loving hands and giving Him His turn to quiet my soul with the words, "It's alright, everything will be okay."
"It's Alright" by Brandon Heath, from the album, "Leaving Eden"
(released Jan. 18, 2011)
YouTube video posted by Jake SD19
"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you;
and you will be comforted over Jerusalem."
(Isaiah 66:13, NIV)
