Trust and Obey

Tonight Maggie had a little mishap in Chick Fil A that resulted in a split lip. There was lots of blood and lots of tears, but I am oh so thankful that there were not things like broken teeth or stitches.
Funny how your parenting instincts kick in during a moment of crisis and you feel yourself being strangely calm and clear headed in situations (blood!!) that would normally make you queasy or cover your eyes. (And by you I mean me.)

It wasn't until we were home and everyone was calm and heading to bed that I started reflecting on it all.

How heartbreaking to see your children sad and hurt and scared! How many times have I told Maggie to be careful while running or to slow down or to pay attention? It was such a helpless feeling to see her in the state she was and know there was nothing I could do about it. Accidents just happen. And some things are completely out of my control. And at the end of the day, there are some things I just can't protect her from.

After she calmed down, had a Popsicle and read a few books, she set aside her sullen expression and got gussied up in her latest princess attire and marched around the kitchen - high heels and all - announcing, "I'M THE PRINCESS OF THE CASTLE!" To which Gary and I looked at each other and said, "She's just fine."

After her princess debut the three of us sat on the floor and had a very sweet moment singing songs like "Come into my heart", "Nothing but the blood of Jesus," and "Trust and Obey." Maggie then recited her latest memory verses - Romans 3:23 and John 3:16.

As my heart swelled with pride and love I was suddenly taken back to the pit in my stomach about what had happened earlier in the night. I keep hearing her little head smack on the ground. All of the feelings of helplessness and wanting to protect her overwhelmed me again. Then it dawned on me that her little life and her faith are much like her fall tonight. There just are some things I can't control. I can't protect her from everything - physical or otherwise. I can warn her, train her and guide her, and then it is simply up to the Lord. And it is my job to place her little life in His hands and then Trust and Obey. However, unlike her physical fall, which made me jittery to even see her walk around in her heels afterwards, I am supremely confident in her future with her Heavenly Father (and not me) in control. She is His child - I am here only to point her to Him. And while I teach her to Trust and Obey I need to do the same.