November 2017

Recently, I found out that my family kept a secret from me.  My son had endured a difficult couple of weeks (praise God all was resolved fairly quickly), and he and my husband did not want to worry me.  Secrets that do not involve a gift or surprise party rarely turn out well.  When the plan fell apart and the secret was revealed, I was not altogether happy.

Their intention was good, no doubt.  I love the men in my life who want to protect me, and I appreciate their desire to spare me what they think is needless worry.  But, by sparing me the worry, they robbed me of one of the most wonderful blessings of being a mom.

Moms worry.  We worry through feverish nights.  We worry about bullies on the playground.  We worry about growth charts and doctor visits and report cards and athletic competitions and class presentations.  And oh, my goodness, we worry about everything that involves a car—from studying for the permit to the driver’s test to the first solo drive to every time our children get behind the wheel or in the passenger seat, no matter their age.  Then there’s college and worry takes on a whole new depth.  We worry when their voices don’t sound just right in a phone conversation.  We worry when their hearts hurt.  Are they happy?  Are they getting enough to eat?  Are they warm at night?  Are they staying out of trouble?  They graduate, and we worry about them getting a good job and then whether they feel satisfaction in the job they do get?  They marry, and because we love the spouse, we have a whole new person to worry about.  Oh, yes.  Moms worry.

But, there is blessing that comes from seeing worry through to its holy conclusion.  In that sweet, most vulnerable of moments, when our hearts are splayed open, there is nothing left in us but to lift our precious babies to our Father, our Abba, their Abba—that moment where we truly know and believe that God loves our babies more than we do (I can’t even wrap my mind around it), that they belong to Him, that He has a plan and that His plan is good . . . no matter what it looks like or even if we understand it this side of heaven.  In that moment, we know the Truth, and the Truth takes our babies in His arms and straight to His heart . . . and all the worry, too. 

And, that’s the blessing—the lifting of the worry, the “handing over” to One so much better equipped, the peace in merely “knowing” and trusting Who we know.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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 4:6-7