Parenting has the most incredible highs and lows on the spectrum of emotions.  Whether parenting from the conventional aspect or stepping into the parent role with compassion for young people, the joys are indescribable and the sorrows tug at the heart.  Our emotions ride tandem to each experience our children go through.  When they are succeeding, discovering their abilities, achieving milestones, we celebrate alongside them. When they are struggling, experiencing setbacks with disappointment or tears, the strife is shared in our gut.  The instinctive reaction is to reach out and rescue; make it all better.  As a parent, one of the most difficult challenges is learning to step back and allowing our children to ride the rollercoaster of life’s latest experience.

I struggle with this.  I want to fix it.  I want to make it all better, wrap them in a hug and send them on their way.  The realization is by stepping in, I am cheating them out of the journey God has set them on.  Rather than me sweeping the hardship off to the side, pausing and allowing God to take the lead is the better choice.  It is tough to see your child at any age struggle, but it’s tougher to trust God, stand firm and know that He will lead them through.  Ultimately, He is their Father.  He has been there for me and for generations before me.  He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.  But I still struggle with the letting go and letting God.  Everyday.

His way repeatedly has better outcomes. In looking at the faith-driven successes to past, personal dilemmas, potentially it should get easier to allow God to take the lead.  Though I still struggle with it, my grip on control lessens each time just a little bit sooner.

As an adult in a parenting role, nurturing a young person, mentoring them with love, structure, consistency and wisdom, allowing them to venture forward without our control can be overwhelming.  Will they make the right choices?  Will they make a mistake?  Will they get hurt?  The uncertainty can tug at our heart.  Kids are resilient.  Be secure in knowing you’ve given them the tools to face life’s challenges head-on.  Planting seeds of faith strengthens their ability to embrace the unknown without you.  Take a step back, pray on their behalf, be available and watch as their journey unfolds.  It’s a wonder and a privilege to see God’s handiwork in process.