Teenaged drivers (and fear)
My desk calendar says this today,
"We can't be everywhere. But God can. We can't see everything. But God can. We can't know everything. But God can. No matter what age our children are, releasing them into God's hands is a sign of our faith and trust in Him and is the first step towards making a difference in their lives. Prayer for our children begins there."
(The Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)
This is a timely reminder. One of my 15 1/2 year old sons got his learner's permit on Friday. There is nothing like teaching a teenaged son to drive. It drives me to my knees in prayer like nothing else. And soon, we'll have two 15 year old drivers, joining their 17 year old brother on the road.
Pray, people, pray!
Every stage of a child's life is a process of their gaining independence and our reliquishing control. But who, exactly, are you reliquishing your child to? We can surrender them to the gods of public policy. You know, the ones who establish what "everyone" does. "Everyone get their license the first day possible. Everyone wears jeans this low cut. Everyone is going to see this movie. Everyone wears a bikini, Mom, GOSH!"
Or, we can surrender them to the God of the universe, who created this world, and created everything in it. We can reliquish our idea of control to the One who actually has control. Our kids are His kids, anyway.
But I'm not saying it's easy. Where do we put our fears, our angst, our reluctance to see them cross another milestone (especially one that has the potential to hurt them in some way?). We can stew in our own juices and marinate ourselves into a frenzy. Or, we can pray. Just pray. Simply pray.
Jesus said, "Don't be afraid, just believe." What circumstance regarding your child are you fearful about? There's always something. Either they're biting other kids in preschool, or they're being bullied on the bus. Or they are bullying someone else, or telling lies, or running around with the wrong crowd. Maybe they aren't doing as well in school as you'd imagined they would, and you fear for their successful future. Fears, fears, fears. I know you have more than this little list.
Just believe. Don't be afraid. In fact, look up all the Scriptures that begin with the exhortation "Do not fear." But take it from a mom of teenaged drivers, fear can't be merely talked away. It can only be prayed away. Pray. And then let peace (not fear) guard your hearts and your minds.
The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:5b-7 (New International Version)
Philippians 4:5b-7 (New International Version)
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