Monday

I'm sitting here at my desk with my cup of hot coffee looking out the window as the snow is falling. We already have several inches on the ground from a winter storm last week and today we are expected to get another 6-9 inches. The boys are happy and content because they already had the day off from school and now plans are being made to play in the snow.

I'm thinking about last night and a couple of situations that were happening in the lives of two of our children. Being a parent is hard. Being a parent of teenagers is hard. I'm constantly trying to be two steps ahead and just when I am feeling settled and prepared, I realize that I really have to be five steps ahead.

My husband and I were trying to have the right answers and the right things to say. We wanted to say the things that were true, encouraging and filled with wisdom that only God can give. Our hearts were hurting because our child's heart was hurting, so we wanted to protect and stand up for our child knowing that it may have been misunderstood.

In the middle of all that, another situation came up with another child. One that needed to be handled honestly and right at that moment. We were caught up in one thing and needed to switch gears and be focused to handle a new situation. It's a situation that I knew would eventually come. I've had the conversation rehearsed in my mind of all the motherly things I would say. I was caught off guard and wasn't as ready as I thought I was. "Not this right now Lord. I can only handle one thing at a time",  I thought. It's too soon and yes, there is that part of my heart that just doesn't want my children to grow up.

I can look back this morning and know that both situations were handled with grace, understanding and honesty. There was even some laughter and I hope the reassurance and trust that we are always here for them- no matter what. Most of all, I know that every word that was spoken and hug that was given was filled with a whole lot of love.