As our household moves toward empty nest, I find myself frequently assessing my parenting years (not that they have come to a close, but referring to those years of parenting children).
We have three fantastic, adult kids. They are all contributing members to society, who have deep empathy with and compassion for “the least of these”. Each one is fiercely independent, in their own way. They also all still connect with me, face to face, by phone, by text … a reality I view as a blessing to be thankful for every day.
As they move forward into their own lives, I find my self-assessment, as a parent, falling below the passing line.
There was a time when I (arrogantly) patted my parental back, praising myself and my efforts for the good job I was doing as a mom. I thought all the successes that they were achieving were because of the investment I was making in them. I never would have said so, out loud, but my inner arrogance was great.
Now, the season of reevaluation has come, and I see that much of what I took credit for, was not due to my efforts. I also see that there were things I missed and areas where I went wrong.
I look back at how my focus on self-reliance, has missed the mark on teaching them of the blessing of community.
In teaching them the importance working toward a goal, I missed teaching them to soak in what the journey holds.
I preached the message of working hard, but I missed teaching them the value of Sabbath (literally or metaphorically).
In my instruction to invest in a home and education, I missed showing them the delight and natural education of travel.
In thinking I was shielding them from time of my own time of weakness and sadness, I missed out on the opportunity of showing them that it’s okay to admit weakness, to ask for help.
In my refusal to see ‘the church’ as perfect (which it is not), I have given license to see more flaws than good in the bride of God.
It would be so easy to wallow in my failures as a mom. It would be so easy to say I am a complete failure.
But …
For myself, and any fellow moms (and dads), who might be giving ourselves a failing mark in parenting …
if we still have breath in our lungs,
it’s not too late
Though the empty nest is the symbol of the end of the most active parenting years of our lives,
it is not too late
to teach our kids
that failure
is an opportunity
to try again
And so, just as a failing mark on a test or report card is a wake up call, so is acknowledging our weakness an opportunity to try again, to refresh our attitudes and efforts, to try again.
“I love the Lord because he hears my voice
and my prayer for mercy.
Because he bends down to listen,
I will pray as long as I have breath!”
(Psalm 116:1-2)
itsawonderfilledlife 