Joy leaks out of my heart like the strength leaving my knees.
Motherhood. I love my kids more than anything. I want to do it right. Love them well. Teach them everything they need to know to live a pain-free life. Seriously. You scoff because it's ridiculous, but look into the sweet faces of your own babies and ask yourself if you don't wish the same?
It's absolutely true that I haven't done very many (any?) things perfectly and only some things well. Too late? I don't know. The experts say that the preschool years are the most formative and I wouldn't say I did my best parenting then. What if it is too late for some things? What if they do make some terrible choices that hurt...themselves...others...me? Anxiety can be the worst kind of agony.
I fling myself at His feet, begging for mercy for my children, for some kind of second chance, for a "get out of jail free card"--and I find love-filled eyes. Did He not come just because He knew we'd never get it all right? Is it not His nature to create beauty out of ashes? To bind up the broken-hearted? To help desperate parents and imperfectly parented children?
A breath of hope.
Grace.
It's not an excuse for sloppy parenting. It is hope for those who are doing their imperfect best. I make an idol of myself and my abilities when I think it all depends on my capacity to parent perfectly.
He loves my kids with a passion that's far greater than a mother's love. I can trust Him. He put His life on the line for their redemption.
Trust.
Joy begins to well up and strengthen my feeble knees.
Trust fuels joy.
The LORD is my strength, my shield from every danger.
I trust in him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
Psalm 28:7 NLT
Oh, the joys of those who trust the LORD!
Psalm 40:4a NLT
O LORD Almighty, happy are those who trust in you!
Psalm 84:12 NLT
Those who trust the LORD will be happy.
Proverbs 16:20b NLT
