"I know the plans that I have for you...." (Jeremiah 29:11) That's a verse that we Christians cling to. We use it for ourselves. We use it for our children, our families, our friends. We hold on to that promise every day. There are a lot of promises in the Bible, but that one seems to sum it all up. It comforts us, it gives us peace and reminds us of God's constant love for us. His intimate, heart-piercing love for all His children.
You know, I have plans for my children too. Plans for good and not for evil. Plans for a future and a hope. And like God, I too, love my children more than life itself. If I could give my life for theirs, I would, If it would save them, I would. Just as God did for us. He gave us Jesus because He loved us that much. There was one big difference, Jesus WAS able to save us. He was God made flesh and walked among us. He suffered our sufferings. He walked where we walk, but He was without sin. A far cry from my abilities.
There is something about love that drives us. It consumes us. It gives us purpose. It is hopeful. It is something we can't live without. It desires only the best. It drives us to do things. As a parent, I want to solve everything for my kids. I want to usher them into success, skirt them away from failure, help them avoid costly mistakes. But as I contemplate that, is that really the right thing to do? Does God do that for us? Does He take our hand and make our lives a bed of roses? Why then, do I feel it necessary to do that for MY children.
God gives us principles to live by. He teaches us in love the meaning of integrity, of unselfishness, of serving others. He GUIDES us with His love. The choice is still ours. We have to "determine" what we will do. He may not like our choices, but He doesn't stop loving us because of them, nor do we stop loving our children.
Maybe somewhere along the way, I didn't GUIDE them as I should have. Or is it that my kids "determined" their own way in spite of guidance. And is that a reflection on me? Is it a reflection on God when we don't follow His way? Certainly not. It's not His fault that we choose to go our own way. And it's not our fault when our children do the same. It breaks God's heart when our choices cause us pain. And it breaks my heart when my kids choices cause pain.
But God is God and I'm not. He is the one in control. I am only human. And my children are human and make choices for which THEY are responsible....not me. I have to let them go at some point. God let's us go at some point, to make choices and learn the best way for us. We don't always do it right, but He is always there. My kids won't always do it right, but they need to know that I will always be there....because that's Love's Plan.
