A Fine Line

You would think that after thirty plus years of being a parent I would know what I'm doing. Well, throw that idea out the window.

One of the hardest aspects of this parent/child dynamic is walking the tightrope of caution and protection vs. paranoia and neurosis. I know our desire to remind our daughter of the rules everytime she is going someplace new or crowded or big stems from a deep compulsion to protect her and keep her safe. More often than not,though,we are projecting a spirit of fear onto her.

I struggle with wanting her to be strong and adventurous and independent all while longing to hold her close and keep her from any hurt or harm. I fall off this tightrope more times than I make it across to the other side.

My conclusion: if I approach this in my own strength and wisdom I might as well be working without a net! I am so glad that when I fall it is into His arms. May I teach my three children by example that He is always there and we need not fear.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."