“Then He went down to Nazareth with them [his parents] and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:51-52
Today, I am tearfully storing away the little step stools we bought for Joshua and Gabrielle to use in the bathrooms when they were just toddlers. I probably should have done this months and months ago, but I didn’t. Instead, I tripped over the kids’ little step stools time and time again. The little ache in my heart said “I am not ready yet”. Not ready to be done that phase and needing step stools to reach the sink for a Dixie cup of water or to wash their hands. Not ready for them to be big enough to brush their pearly whites without the aide of the step stool to reach the sink drain target. The step stools represent a precious season of young childhood.
But I am storing them away today with thankfulness in my heart. So thankful I am their mommy. So thankful Jim and I are the ones privileged and responsible to train them up in the ways of the Lord. Every day I tell them I love being their mommy. I love being the one to sing them awake on school mornings. I love being the one to deposit them at school and having them hear me say, “I love you. Honor the Lord.” I love the sacred moments of bedtime.
Equipping them to grow in the Lord and preparing them for eventual adulthood while cherishing every moment of being a child is a delicate balance. Giving them the proper tools…a heritage of a relationship with the Lord, the sword of His Word, demonstrating a healthy prayer life. These eternal tools are essential, necessary and ageless.
Today, I am putting away tools they no longer need. The step stools in the bathrooms. It’s a little bittersweet reminder to equip them properly, enjoy the privilege of helping them grow and mature, and not leaning on tools that we no longer need. They have and need other tools now. Tools that represent and promote growth.
I am treasuring all of these things in my heart.
Our prayer is that, as Joshua and Gabrielle grow in stature and obey their parents, just as Jesus did, that they will grow in God’s wisdom. That they will grow in favor with God and men, and in that order.
Stepping onward while holding our Heavenly Daddy’s hand.