“Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life.” Proverbs 22:6
We gave them a bottle, then we watched as they started crawling. Before we knew it, tears were forming in our eyes as we watched them put their hands on the steering wheel for the first drive after getting their driving permit. Oh, how our little ones have grown up so fast! Yes, it is true; we must enjoy them while they are young because they don’t just grow up fast, they grow onward. We want the best for our children and try to do almost any and everything to help them to be successful. Sometimes we do it to a fault but we say “That’s my baby!”
As they grow, we offer detours for the roadblocks ahead and fluffy cushions to help give softer landings when we know they will fall. We even take up for them when what we really should do is let them suffer the consequences of their well thought out wrong doings.
Yeah parents… We try so hard and then they disappoint us, and believe it or not “WE” then try even harder for them! Strange, isn’t it? They should be trying harder for us.
As time passes, I am realizing that we can only take them so far and then we must let them start to find their own way. We start the release. A major part of our love involves assistance with development of their exit plans, releasing our tight grip to a loose supporting hand. Our new gifts are consistent: tough LOVE, guidance, and constructive feedback, training them up for Life Preparation Avenue.
“Above everything, love one another earnestly, because love covers over many sins.” 1 Peter 4:8
“He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently.” Proverbs 13:24
“He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity” 1 Timothy 3:4
