A Parent's Heart

I sent another kid out into the world today. It is never easy. I am worried and concerned about what life will throw at her. I am watchful and hopeful that she makes her way easily. My only solace comes from Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

If I gave her a Christian foundation and taught her God’s Word, I have planted seeds well.

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:7

She will make her way, stumbling at times, but she knows the path. If I have instilled His truth in her heart, I can let her go, knowing the Holy Spirit is at work. I can’t do any better than that.

But letting go still gave me a heart ache – a deep ache as I said good bye, came back to her empty room, and counted one less in the nest. God’s heart must feel that way when we stray (leave). A parent’s heart beats strong for the child it created.

I have a newfound perspective on God and appreciation for Him. I can not imagine how much it must hurt when God’s children choose eternal separation.

What are you wearing?

I cleaned out the kid’s closet and drawers today. Actually it took me two days. I can’t believe the mess they make. No, I can believe it. I found underwear in the shirt drawer, bathing suits in the pants drawer, and a whole slew of MY socks mixed in with theirs. (I always thought the dryer ate them). It was a ridding out process; throwing away the jeans with holes and donating clothes that were too small to a worthy cause. But it was also an opportunity to talk with the kids about what they wear.

Natalie will only wear something that looks fashionable. She carefully lays out her daily selection, fussing over the colors and matching styles. She may even change her outfit numerous times during the day. I reminded Natalie that it is not unscriptural for a woman (or girl in this case) to want to be attractive, but that beauty begins on the inside. Paul said in 1 Timothy that Christian women “should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to them selves” and that women “should make themselves attractive by the good things they do.” In Paul’s letter to the church at Colosse he tells us we must clothe ourselves with “tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” We are told that the most important piece of clothing is love.

Sometimes we all put on the wrong clothes. Paul said we should put on mercy first; our underwear if you will. Next we don kindness; our shirt that covers our heart. Then humility; our pants or the way we walk. We put on a coat of gentleness and our hat of longsuffering. All these articles of clothing are fashioned to enrich our lives. But even with all this we are not completely dressed until we put on love.

Fortunately, each new day brings an opportunity to begin anew. So, what are you wearing today? I'm going to change my clothes.