Monday, December 27, 2010

paths to take

dear emily,

as i was strolling in the soft, deep sand by the ocean, my calves
began to shout in protest.  it was much easier to turn around and
step into my footprints than to forge on.

unfortunately, attempting to match my own steps took a surprising
amount of concentration.  i was no longer waving at the adorable
babies along the shore or counting the boats on the horizon.  so  i
let my feet resume their aimless wandering,  once again enjoying
the blissful breezes and lapping waves but ignoring my calves.

life is a bit like that.  we decide which path to take, who to
notice, and what to ignore.

i want my children to venture down many enriching and exciting
shores.  some will take the road less traveled, which might be
lonely or dangerous.  others will choose more conventional paths,
that will, at times, be monotonous, but each will have the thrill of
deciding for himself.

my choice will be to love them, pray for them, and welcome them
home.  my comfort will be that "He leads them beside still waters."
psalm 23:2

love,
lea

26 comments:

Vee said...

And that is great comfort. I don't know why I am so intrigued by what you say here...my children are both long grown. Nevertheless, this is my comfort, too.

Dawn said...

Oh, Lea, I love this simple beautiful thought. It's timing is so relevant in my life as my three are teens/almost teens and beginning to come into their own.

I'm the mamma who wanted to hang onto the back of the bike even after they had gotten the hang of it. Remember?

I must come back and re-read this often.

Just beatiful. I've missed you.

Cinnamon said...

What a wonderful gift to give to your children. Not only to wander a bit and enjoy life but to let them do the same :-)

Hoping you had a wonderful Christmas~

~Cinnamon

Susy said...

Amen. And isn't that the freedom our Father has given us, His children. You have His heart xo

Farm Girl said...

So sweet and it is true. I know over and over in my heart, that I want God to lead them, I know they will follow, my own fear dictates my faith in God and allowing God to be God in their own lives.
Especially watching them being tested.
Very insightful post.

Southern Lady said...

Such a beautiful post! I am already noticing how different my two girls are. I'm sure that the paths that they both choose will be different as well. I just pray that they will allow God to lead them in His direction. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your family. Carla

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Amen....I so agree...from this mother of four adult children and still adjusting!!!

I want them to be who God calls them to be...not what I wish for them to be...and each path they walk usually creates another adjustment for me...may I continue to adjust and release them to His care and direction.

Vivek said...

Hi Lea,
how are you? and how was your Christmas...
its been a while to have a conversation with you.vitually. . you as a true mother always leads from the front and you are truely inspirational.. A true always hv the elements of God. .which I feel you hv been gifted by God.
Whatever you says n look- into are quite pratical and applies to all of us in accord to our thought process..and action we should follow.
Thanks a milion ton for being so caring. .feel blessed having met you.
take care
keep smiling always :-))

Joan Elizabeth said...

Lea you write so beautifully. It is always a joy to visit here. A timely thought as we all plan our paths for 2011.

Just Be Real said...

Lea oh so very nice. Appreciate you sharing. Blessings.

Cheri Bunch said...

So happy that our paths have crossed, Lea! Your footprints have lead me down some lovely lanes.

As for my children, they have done as you have said, and I am presently aching with missing them.

Hope your New Year brings so many blessings that your heart is brimming with joy!

Love,
Cheri

Debbie said...

I found this to be VERY insightful. And as a mother to 4 adult children, and 8 grandchildren, it IS how I feel...but such an adjustment it is...wanting them to figure out and find their own paths, and yet wanting them to do what I think best...haha...Thanks for sharing this.

Blondie's Journal said...

Wonderful post! Choices can be so difficult, but even if we make the wrong one, hopefully we have the strength to change paths.

XO,
Jane

Sewn With Grace said...

So wonderfully said, thank you!

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

Love this Lea! And somewhere between that choice to love them and pray for them... and the comfort that He leads them, is the work of faith in our own hearts before we see all the final answers in their lives. It's the children He gave us that God uses over and over to teach us more of Himself, isn't it?

Precious thoughts and your children are so blessed!

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

This warmed my heart, Lea, but it also brought one of my favorite poems to mind:

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;


Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,


And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.



I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Together We Save said...

Thank you are sharing this beautiful post!! Hope all is well with your family!!

Susan B said...

A lovely post Lea. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and will enjoy a very Happy New Year! :)

His Song to Sing said...

Beautifully stated, Lea. Children are blessed when given this type of freedom, but it's not always easy to give them their wings, is it? Thanks for sharing your wise perspective.

Auntie Cake said...

Hi Lea,
Love your post today. I often think that I seem to wander down my own path and not follow behind those on a more heavily traveled path. I think my oldest daughter may also chose her own, less traveled path.

It is often lonely, but when one if making their own path, the rewards are much sweeter. And if one stops to look and listen, we will know that we are never truly alone. Thank goodness!

Have a bright and joyous New Year, and still praying for your friend and her family.
Kate

Janna Leadbetter said...

Lea, I'm so glad this wisdom to share with Emily is here for the rest of us.

Best in 2011!

Jo said...

Oh, goodness Lea, I needed to read this today.

My comfort will be that "He leads them beside still waters."

Oh, goodness, thank you...!

Michael said...

Lea, lovely thoughts here and oh so very true. need to think along those lines more myself in fact too when thinking of my kids.

Vivek said...

Hi Lea,

Wish you and your family A very Happy New year 2011.

Take care
keep smiling :)

See you Again in New Year with Lots of Good things.

Darcie said...

Coming over to wish one of my favorite bloggers a very, "Happy New Year!" I look forward to following you into 2011.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

love the imagery this provoked.