In one of my last days of work at the institution I had joyfully served for eight years, I had this special coffee session with one of my colleagues. Funny that we never really went out in that span of working years together when in fact I consider her as one of my closest friends. Maybe because she was always busy and maybe because we each had our own sets of friends.
Our conversation was a heart-to-heart one. We talked about why I had to leave the institution I have dearly loved, my dreams, my family and hers as well. I told her that my 8 years of teaching had been 8 fruitful years as I have learned a lot and will always be grateful for it, but it was just about time to step out because my family’s needs and my priorities, changed.
Before we parted, she handed me the book she was reading at that time, a devotional book entitled, “Live Loved” by Max Lucado. In one of the pages of the book she wrote a dedication:
Dear Khaye,
I pray that the Lord will continue to reveal Himself to you as He reveals His beautiful plans for you. You are loved by Jesus… God bless.
xxx
This morning, I finally got the chance to open the book, and I was directed to the “Praying Parents” page. I needed to hear from Him today as my parenting fears are starting to build. The book says:
“Fear turns some parents into paranoid prison guards, who fear every minute, check the background of every friend They stifle growth and communicate distrust. A family with no breathing room suffocates a child. On the other had, fear can also create permissive parents. For fear that their child will feel too confined or fenced it, they lower their bounderies…. they don’t realize that discipline is an expression of love.”
Being a parent is a great privilege. But it is also an enormous responsibility that sometimes bring fear. And then I’ve read this beautiful reminder from the book:
“Permissive parents. Paranoid parents. How can we avoid the extremes? We pray. Prayer is the saucer into which parental fears are poured to cool…. Each time a parent prays, Christ responds. His big message to moms and dads? Bring your children to me. Raise them in a greenhouse of prayer.”
God is so sweet the way that He spoon-feeds me. He blesses me with instruments that speak to me every time I need them. Oh dear, Lord!
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