I need to put together a post of Christmas pictures around our house, but my mind is still elsewhere. I was surprised at how hard it was to get my sweet, blonde-haired, 6-year-old, first grader up for school and send her on her way today. (Thanks to strep throat making its rounds, she was the only one who went to school.) I don’t think she caught on, but I’m pretty sure I hugged her and made her look in my eyes twenty more times than usual.
I won’t get into a philosophical post about why I think this all happened. There’s been enough of those on Facebook over the weekend to make my head spin. . . But, I think every momma’s first instinct is to keep your babies close, shielding them from the world. But, if you keep them from going to school, then you can’t take them to the mall, to the grocery store, to the movies, or even to church. . . . There’s no safe haven.
This whole terrible thing has only reminded me of what I already knew (but often forget). Our lives (and our children’s lives) are completely out of our control. Sometimes, when I’m running around, exhausted, trying to do this and do that, and worried about 101 things that may or may not happen, I’m certain God is looking down smiling and shaking His head that I still haven’t learned that lesson. For someone as “type A” as myself, realizing I have no control is a hard one, especially when it comes to my kids.
All we can do is love our babies and pray hard over each and every one of them. And, I believe we can teach them kindness and to show grace to others. If they see our critical and judgmental ways when we're talking about or interacting with other adults, what example do they have to show love to the kids they come in contact with everyday? I’m not sure we even realize what they’re absorbing sometimes, but I do believe they soak up everything.
There are things we will never understand because His ways are not our ways. I want you to know that I prayed for all of you this morning who were also having a hard time sending your babies off to school. I know this post is completely off-topic today, but I needed to write it for myself, anyway. Thanks for listening.
I don't completely understand how you might have felt this morning because I don't have a school aged child, but I understand a little because I have a toddler and one on the way. I also used to be a teacher so if I was still working, I don't know if I would've been scared to go to work myself. You're right though. We don't have our lives in our hands... It's hard for us to remember that in our daily lives but it's true. Thanks for sharing. Hope you have a great Monday!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this. I felt the exact same way this morning.
ReplyDeleteVery well said Emily. I agree that even though our young ones may have no cognizant realization of what's going on in the world, they feel our energy and have way more innocent intuition than we know. I'm glad to hear there are other mothers over-loving:) their kids right now. Hugs to you and your family. That picture is precious. Hope your family is on the mend.
ReplyDeleteWell said Emily. Mine are now almost 23 and 19, and I still have struggle with the fact that "it is out of my control". They are and always will be my "babies". My heart and prayers go out to those in CT. One of our pastors attended school there as a young boy. Heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteYou said it beautifully, Emily.
ReplyDeleteBoy Emily, so very well said. My heart is so heavy thinking about all you young moms having to send your babies to school today. Mine are grown up now but two are teachers and I'm always worried. God bleas.
ReplyDeleteI used to teach 3rd grade & after 9-11 often thought 'what would I do if something like this ever happened?'...sadly against a machine gun I too would not have been able to protect 'my kids'...my heart breaks for these babies, the teachers, & the parents.
ReplyDelete{{{{{{{{{{Hugs}}}}}}}}}} with love and prayers....
ReplyDelete-Joanne
I, too, held my 7 year old first grader extra long this morning.
ReplyDeleteI have very similar thoughts to the other people commenting but I would feel a whole lot safer sending my children out into the world if I knew that people with mental health problems couldn t get hold of guns and ammunition. I know it is written in your constitution but is it really neccessary for the general population to have access to an assault rifle?
ReplyDeleteI felt sick dropping mine at school this morning. And I can't wait till school gets out today! You are so right - He is in control - great reminder!
ReplyDeleteI have read a lot of blog posts this morning but was only compelled to reply to yours. I wasn't a Type A mom until my kids came into this world. I used to laugh about how nervous and frantic my mother-in-law was/is about her kids and grandkids. I'm no longer amused by it because I share her absolutely unreasonable fear of anything ever happening to my children. On Friday I didn't let them walk to the sitters after school. I took off early and picked them up myself. It was all I could do to NOT go hug their teachers. I wasn't sure if it would be well-received or not. I so appreciate that you prayed for all of us that were having trouble sending our kids off to school as well. My prayer is the same for you. God bless our kids and our teachers and may He watch over them.
ReplyDeleteWell said! Prayers and blessing to everyone.....
ReplyDeleteAmen, Emily.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of the same thoughts going through my mind! It is truly every parent's worst nightmare bc it is just such a scary reminder that we cannot protect our kids from everything. I am thankful for my faith and the fact that I believe God is in control. Much love and prayers to you and your family as well!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said! I would recommend 2 books if you like to read, both by Gavin DeBecker. The first is called "the Gift Of Fear" (it could be called the gift of intuition) and the second written for parents is called "Protecting the Gift". You won't regret it...I wish I could get them in the hands of every parent. My husband is in law enforcement so we have perhaps even a hightened awareness of the dangers that our children can face. These books are the most practical, helpful books we have come across. Not breeding fear at all, but giving practical signs to look in all types of situations that we all encounter as parents, and how to listen to your instincts. While God ultimately is their protector, He has truly placed instincts in all of us to protect our children...
ReplyDeleteI felt the same this morning and was comforted to have one stay home sick today just for the mere fact I got to have him home with me. I walked away from the bus with tears in my eyes this morning. Prayers to you and your family too.
ReplyDeleteIt's so true. I've had many of these same thoughts myself over the weekend.. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete"Jesus is our childhood's pattern;
ReplyDeleteday by day, like us he grew;
he was little, weak and helpless,
tears and smiles like us he knew;
and he feeleth for our sadness,
and he shareth in our gladness.
And our eyes at last shall see him,
through his own redeeming love;
for that child so dear and gentle
is our Lord in Heaven above;
and he leads his children on
to the place where he is gone."
Prayers and hugs are the only thing that have gotten me through this weekend. I think we have all been reminded of what really matters.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way this morning. Thanks for posting this. All we can do as parents is try our best to protect our kids. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I plan on asking for more from my son's school district. As a former teacher, I believe in School Resource Officers as an effective tool in every school. I don't believe it's the solution or a way to control the situation but I do believe in using every resource we have available. Prayers to everyone this day.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful my friend. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteXO
Kristin
Al Mohler wrote a great piece and includes some links at the end that might be of interest as well: http://www.crosswalkmail.com/ViewMessage.do?m=ahtldddph&r=ycbfccqmqbmm&s=vprjvmfgjrjfygtkbzqdqfmypbbyrhfqvvt&a=view
ReplyDeleteLife is precious and certainly every single moment counts.
Very well said. I live just a few minutes from the site of the tragedy. My daughter lost a friend there as well. It is beyond heartbreaking. I'm praying too. Thanks for this post.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Gives me comfort this day.
ReplyDeleteVery well said!
ReplyDeleteEmily, beautifully written!! I too found it hard to write on topic today. I chose to reflect on how important TIME is with our loved ones. I wrote a post on the Sweet Commodity of TIME!! Sometimes our priorities get off kilter and something as horrific as the events this past Friday brings us back to reality in short order.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless YOU and your sweet, precious family,
xo Kathysue
My husband always tells me they aren't even our kids...they are God's kids, we all belong to him. That's hard for a mama to hear, but I know he's right. And you're right, we can love them up as much as possible, but most of it is out of our hands. I was barely able to drop mine at school today, too. xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said, Emily.
ReplyDelete