How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings….” — Luke 13:34.
My oldest child will have his 48th birthday tomorrow. Hard for me to believe, and just as scary is that his children will be twenty-one five days from now. For all my children and grandchildren I know the feeling of wanting to gather them together and protect them from harm. We do our best, but know that protecting one’s children from harm and the uncertainties of life is not possible. The impossibility doesn’t stop us from wanting to do so. We also fear that overprotection will do more harm than good.
So what’s a parent to do? We begin with unconditional love, and do our best not to inflict harm. We also recognize they are also God’s children and grandchildren, and God is always there for them too.
I don’t worry too much about my children like I used to do so. They have all exceeded my expectations, hopes, and dreams. As my old friend Officer McSherry told me after my son was born, “I am a very wealthy man.”
Leave a Reply +