The last few years I have been living out of control. Out of my control are the decisions and choices my 16 and 20 year old daughters make. I’ve been working through it but for a time I became depressed, disappointed and felt like a failure as a parent. After many days and nights of crying because I felt like a failure as a Mom I finally recognized that I can not change my children (or anyone else), but I have a great relationship with the one person who can, GOD.
From the time our children are born they are totally dependent on us to teach them, nurture them and guide them because they know nothing. They willingly ask for our help. It’s our job to teach them right from wrong, how to speak to and interact with others, how to take care of their bodies and mind by eating the right foods, getting exercise regularly and reading to exercise their minds. Looking back, this time in my life seems so easy and simple to me now in comparison to raising teenagers and young adults.
There comes a point in life when these precious little children who we dedicated our whole life to for so many years turn into young adults and they are required to start making their own choices. They are capable and responsible enough to drive a car, get a job, make plans to go to college or what career they want to pursue after high school. We encourage them to explore these options and guide them in doing these things. But what comes along with this time of their life is the responsibility that goes with making their own choices. But what do we do when they make the wrong choices? If your like me, you crumble. Over the last couple of years this has been my emotional struggle.
God reminded me one day how he feels about this. After all he is our parent, our Heavenly Father. He guides us with the teachings in the Bible. He teaches us right from wrong. But we have our own free will to make our own choices. Just imagine how depressed God would be if he piled on the guilt of all the sins that we commit, daily! The burden would be unbearable. So God showed me that I must release that burden from myself. I can not hold myself responsible for the choices my children make. God promises to protect us and carry our burdens, if we ask. In Matthew 11:28-29 he says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
So daily (sometimes hourly) I go to the cross and leave my fears, my anxiety, my disappointments and my burdens. I pray for safety, protection and guidance for my husband and children. In exchange God gives me Peace for turmoil. The creator of the whole universe has all this under control and he does not want me to worry. I pray today that you find this “Peace that surpasses all understanding” in your life as well.
P.S. I just want to clarify that my daughters are wonderful, caring young women who I am very proud of. Each day they learn new lessons and make good choices because of those lessons. I love them very much.
