In Good Hands

The things we do for our children!

The lengths we go to, the sacrifices we make, the miles we drive...But we know we wouldn't change a thing. We want the best for them; we want them to learn, grow, achieve and most of all, know they are loved and important in this world.

The hardest aspect of parenting--to me, anyway--is not being able to protect my two children from harm 24/7. The older they become and the more they are 'out there,' the less control I have. But it's not a control issue. It's more of a mothering, wanting-to-protect issue.

Now instead of band-aids, Kool-Aid and Rite Aid, my 'feel better aids' are limited. Hugs, an occasional word of advice and just being there for them are my stand-by's. And I find myself in stand-by mode instead of active duty more and more. They are growing up and with that comes their independence.

I like to think I still have a say-so, a protective grip on their world, though less constraining or visible to them.

This weekend, my daughter and her new Beta fish needed a ride back to college. As I drove, I couldn't help but laugh at times about the way she fussed and worried over that little fish as she held the tank in her lap. Every bump, curve and dip was a threat, but she managed to keep the fish safe, though sloshed around at times. She realized she could not control the road, the car or other factors affecting the ride. But she was able to hold the tank--protecting her fish inside.

The fish was in good hands.

I suppose God, our Heavenly Father, would like to have a better hold on us at times! But, lovingly, He lets us live our own lives. He knows there will be bumps, curves and dips in the road. Pain, sorrow, abandonment, rejection--even Jesus Christ experienced these and knew them well as He lived on this earth.

So where was God during His own Son's pain, suffering and death? Couldn't He have protected Jesus and saved Him from such terrible agony? And where is God when we're being sloshed and tossed around? Doesn't He care that we're hurting down here?

Of course He does. God being in control of our lives is not the same as controlling our lives.

If we are His children, we are always in His hands. He is holding on, has a grip on us and will never let go...no matter what road we choose or how bumpy the ride gets. If we are in God's hands, we are in good hands.