I See You, Momনমুনা

I Realize There is Fear

Both my children started school this year. I was a wreck. Dropping them off at school, trusting teachers to care for them, teach them, encourage them, hoping that other kids would be kind; it was too much to handle. Like a golden retriever, I sat on my front door step all day, waiting for 2:30. I understand now the biggest contributor to my anxiety was that I couldn’t “see” them. 

I mean, think about it. From the moment they are born, we can “see” them. There are cameras in their cribs, babysitters send pictures and updates, there are even monitors that fit on their toes that tell us their oxygen levels. We are professional kid stalkers! We can “see” them at all times--until we can’t. 

In Exodus 2 Jochebed couldn’t “see” her son. Jochebed was a Jewish slave that lived during the time of Pharoah. Pharaoh believed that the Jewish population was growing too big, so he ordered all the male children to be killed at birth. Jochebed hid her child for three months, and when she couldn’t hide him any longer, she put him in a basket and placed it among the reeds of the riverbank. Jochebed couldn’t “see” him anymore, but in faith, she placed her baby in a basket. It was there that the child was found, brought into the home of the princess, and adopted into the family of the very Pharaoh who called for his death. Her child was named Moses. Oh the irony!

Her fear was valid. But her faith was victorious.  

In Matt 10:26-33 Jesus tells us not to be afraid of people who can hurt our bodies, but have faith in the one who can save our soul. His eye is on the sparrow, a bird that can be bought for half a penny. So if he sees them, he has his eye on our children who are worth ever so much more than a sparrow. When we can’t “see” our children, we can have faith in a God that knows every hair on their heads, and dare I say it, loves them even more than we do. 

So, in a world of name calling, where words like: helicopters, snowplows, and granolas are used to describe moms who are willing to risk everything for their children, let us not minimize the desire for success and security, but instead encourage moms to look at their children’s future through the eyes of a God who prioritizes their hearts over their careers, values their souls over their 401k's. 

I see you, mom, as you put your children in baskets every time you drop them off at school, watch them drive off in cars, walk down the aisle, or start a new job, hoping for good things. Your fears are valid, but your faith is victorious because you know that basket is in the arms of the Almighty. 

Prayer: 

Thank you, Lord for keeping your eye on the sparrows and our children. Give us peace when fear is overwhelming, when the anxiety of not being able to “see” our children is too much. Let us desire God things for our children, for God things are greater than good things. Amen.