Slice of Heaven

Flying Free

I've been considering lately how it is sometimes hard as parents to let our children fly on their own.

I personally struggle with control: wanting to protect them from the natural consequences of their mistakes and so I try to control their behavior.

I know that sometimes they must fail in order to learn-and sometimes those lessons are harder than others-but for me to step back and let those things go without the lecture-that, for me, is giving up some of my control.

What is even scarier is that I am sometimes afraid of myself...will I withhold my love to prove a point? Will I treat them with contempt when they mess up? It is so hard to love them unconditionally and watch them make mistakes, mistakes that even let me down.

But Jesus then reminds me of my sin, my failures, and reminds me that he loves me-accepts me-unconditionally. So I know it can be done.

I experience his grace when I take my eyes off others and examine myself and then turn to him.

And that brings me joy and freedom to do the same for my children.

So, as we went out to fly kites yesterday (a long awaited promise finally kept)

I forced myself to step back and let go

To let them take the line and run with it


And despite many steps and mis-steps, pretty soon they were flying free.
I am so thankful for the tangible lessons God gives me to remind me of his unfathomabe love.