I wasn’t able to join Mack and Will at the pumpkin patch today. As you can imagine my mom guilt was through the roof and I was broken-hearted. However, as usual, God knew what He was doing. Mack can be a bit shy and timid. While I am constantly tempted to push him forward, testing his comfort zone, Will is patient, gently guiding him through his emotions. Mack needs both of us, but today he needed Will. Mack’s precious teacher sent me this photo and it brought tears to my eyes. Obviously I love this image of Will supporting and encouraging Mack. Even more than that, though, I love the image it presents of our Heavenly Father. Sometimes he asks us to walk boldly forward out of our comfort zone (like I tend to do with Mack), but sometimes, he patiently kneels to our level, puts his hand gently on our back, and steadies us. He doesn’t let us run from what we’re facing, but He doesn’t run either. He assures us with his touch that He is present with us regardless of our circumstances. Will is not a perfect father, and I’m not a perfect mother. Yet I’m thankful for this sanctifying journey of parenting and these little thinly veiled moments where God reminds us of His love for us and His presence and strength in our weakness.
