I Blinked

Time slips through my fingers, ever flowing.
I blinked and my children have stretched.
They are no longer so needy as they once were as babes.
They are bright, funny, and independent,
Thinking for themselves.
Still asking questions:
What if, why, how?

Their limbs are long and kissed by sun.
They do not tuck into my lap quite so comfortably as before.
My role, my task, in some ways is changing.
Yes, I am still training, disciplining, stewarding these souls.
But their growing hearts and minds
Force me to grow and change, too.
To help them learn
To choose well without my input,
To instill a love of their own for God and others,
To plant and water the seeds of faith that I pray will still grow long after I am gone from their lives.

The insecurities of motherhood still plague me.
Was I too harsh or lax?
Should I have said more or less? Done more?
But we mothers – we parents – are not without an anchor.

Christ who lived day by day with his disciples
Is still our example.
Washing dusty feet,
Feeding those who came to him,
Gently touching those who yearned for connection,
And daily he taught,
Asking questions to help them think,
Telling parables to illustrate deep truths,
Simply spending time with those he loved.

May we learn to do the same.

A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. ~ Luke 6:40

Photo by Taylor Kopel on Unsplash