You see, I'm still that worried young mother watching from the dining room as her little cape wearing super boy steps onto the coffee table holding a mailing tube and placing both hands inside the tube pushes himself off the table to fly. I holler at him to stop but he just flashes me that mischievous grin. He soars as if in slow motion but I can't reach him in time to save him from the first of what will be several sets of stitches.
I desperately want to save them from their bumps and bruises but no matter how hard I try to warn them, how emphatic my plea, they just smile that sweet smile that says, "Oh, Mom" and go on doing things their own way.
Of course, that's what I wanted, right? Independent, self assured, confident children who became independent, self assured, confident adults. That was my job as a mother. To make them brave enough to carve out a better future than the bumpy road I chose.
So what's a seasoned worrying mama to do when those failure moments come? The only thing I know...
Fall on my faith and pray.
Oh God my Father, keep my children safe as they sleep in their own beds, in their own apartments across town and across the country. Whisper to them the promises you made to me. Tell them you know them by name, that they are your sons and daughters. No matter what they do they'll never lose your love. Lord, pour your grace over them as they make the mistakes of youth and humanness. Wrap them with your arms of love until they feel your presence surrounding them. And, Lord, please quiet the worries of my anxious heart and fill it to overflowing with your perfect peace.
Amen.
