Natural Consequences

I painted a table pink for Soph to play dishes at. She loved crawling into the chair and out again – she really is into crawling up on everything. So I let her try it on her own and in a blink she tumbled, got a bump and cried sooo hard. No skin was broken and it was a light bump she experienced. I hugged and kissed her as she cried in my arms reaching my soul in her pain. See her little tears left by the eyes after Mommy soothed her? I don’t want her to hurt or be hurt and guard her very carefully….yet I want her to learn on her own and know there are times like this on a low elevation that the lessons of life kick in.




















With the boys we’ve been to ER for stitches from events that we couldn’t prevent – that isn’t what I’d recommend for anyone! We have not (knock on wood) had any broken bones! Boys are rougher in their play in general too. Sadly Tobias has been the brunt of stitches both times on the head/face from his brother’s shenanigans. But Anthony has found his own pain – like this summer descending a mountain on a hike too quickly when a tree jumped out and smacked him – he still has pinkish scars from that experience and Steve said he didn’t cry until he saw me after the hike. Aahh, Mom’s bring that out in children as the safe harbor to let the pain free and receive affection much needed in the soothing process.

I’ve made many mistakes in my life and generally have learned from them. As a parent I want to protect my children from making mistakes – I want them to not have pain or experiences that can be avoided – but this won’t help them learn either if I guard them too closely and safely. The hardest part for me is sitting back and letting them make some mistakes to gain the knowledge of life through natural consequences. My first questions is always “Are you OK?” before I may berate them for the silly thing they did – my husband is quieter and doesn’t say as much – I need to learn more of that and let the lesson speak for itself.

God is the same way with us – don’t you think? He watches mankind and could save us from all our mistakes – but then how do we learn? He sent Jesus to save us - yet many still don't believe or listen. How do we learn to love others, take care of the earth he has entrusted to us and spread the word of salvation? How do we learn when we can’t look beyond ourselves at times and recognize our needs vs others? Yet as a parent, he has patience with us – letting us learn too and hopefully not giving up on us!

Psalm 40:10 & 16
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.
But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "The LORD be exalted!"