The other day he shared Hosea 10:1-11:11. In this verse, God is annoyed with the Israelites one minute and warmly and fondly remembering His love for them the next minute. Only to get totally annoyed once again. Then again laments that He can't let go, He loves them so...
Sound familiar? Okay, maybe not to some of you. But parents? Sound familiar?
I loved this lesson of the Bible because it was just in the past few years that I began to understand how God must love us as we love our own children. Annoying as the dickens one minute. Then, can't get enough of just being with them and loving on them. Then, ready to toss them out the window, only to hover and protect as a Mama Bear and her cub. (Hard to compare my child to a "cub", but that's the phrase and Heaven help anyone who messes with him - even at 33). When AJ was little I used to say, I would never take a ga-zillion-trillion dollars for him, but some days, just offer me a dime... he's all yours.
Adam shared the comparison to our own children as well, and I hate to tell him, that never changes. His children are younger, but 33+ years into this... I sometimes feel the same. But, the annoying times are less and less as they are on their own and out in the world. Or, maybe it just seems like less because we just don't see them everyday.
Adam shared the comparison to our own children as well, and I hate to tell him, that never changes. His children are younger, but 33+ years into this... I sometimes feel the same. But, the annoying times are less and less as they are on their own and out in the world. Or, maybe it just seems like less because we just don't see them everyday.
Bonanza. My grandma loved Bonanza and so do I. In one episode, Wayne Newton was a guest character on the show and in this episode he sings "Scarlett Ribbons". I remember my mom and grandma absolutely loving that so much that every time they got near a record store - yes this was the 60/70's - they would look at Wayne Newton albums to see if that song was on there. I don't believe they ever found it. But, a few years ago, I found a Roy Orbison version and put it on CarPod.
The story in the song goes like this. A parent peeked in to say good night to their child and overheard her, in this case a girl, praying hard for God to bring her some scarlet ribbons for her hair. The parent set out into the night to find scarlet ribbons. But, he/she couldn't find any. "all the stores were closed and shuttered, all the streets were dark and bare. In our town, no scarlet ribbons...." The parent spent a sleepless night worrying about the disappointment for the child when they would awaken to find no scarlet ribbons. "All the night my heart was aching, just before the dawn was breaking.... I peeked in and on her bed..." What do you think? Yep. There they were. Scarlet ribbons for her hair. The parent went on to sing "If I live to be 100, I'll never know from where.. came those lovely scarlet ribbons." I think we all know where they came from. Maybe not directly, but maybe from one of His angels on earth. I have a boy, so I don't think he's ever wanted scarlet ribbons, but the feelings are the same. As parents we want to give them everything. Fulfill their every wish, want and need. But sometimes we just can't. We have to rely on God. I think that really starts when we send them to school for the first time. They will have interactions with other people and situations and we won't be there. They'll encounter friends and bullies and we can't be with them to monitor and correct every situation for them. So, the only thing we can do is pray and rely on God. Then, someday, they head out into the world on their own. And, we pray. When we can't find or give them the "Scarlet Ribbons" they desire, we pray that God will provide.
I remember when AJ was heading out into the world on his own, I had a conversation with a friend and I said I just wonder, worry and hope... did we teach him everything he will need to know to survive in this world. My friend, answered.. immediately... she didn't even take a breath. She just said "WELL NO! Of course, you haven't!" Huh? What? That is not what I expected her to say. This friend who has never had a child of her own. I really thought she'd reassure me and tell me "of course, you have! You've done a terrific job and he'll be just fine." Didn't get that.
I also remember as AJ was heading out into the world that my daily prayer was this. Still is... "God please let him learn the tough lessons in life that You feel he needs, but please administer those lessons as gently as you can."
When AJ took off for Texas just over 9 years ago after college graduation, I remember being surprised at how calm I was. I think I really, really felt that God was sending him just where he needed to be and on the path he was supposed to be on. Since then, I know for sure that He had him on the right path. Even though that path went through a couple more states and a few U-Haul trucks. They were wonderful adventures and Jack and I were blessed to enjoy some great times with him. He was eventually led to the arms of the love of his life. In St. Louis! Where everyone wears Scarlet Ribbons!
Have faith, my friends. You all know me well enough to know I'd do anything for my child. Do all I can for him. Even if that means standing back and letting him learn some tough lessons in life. And then let God do for him what I can't. I pray you all get your "Scarlet Ribbons."
Have faith, my friends. You all know me well enough to know I'd do anything for my child. Do all I can for him. Even if that means standing back and letting him learn some tough lessons in life. And then let God do for him what I can't. I pray you all get your "Scarlet Ribbons."
Great blog today Gail. Thanks for sharing.
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