It’s time for another installment of the #UnravelingGrace series. Today my friend Betsy, from across the sea, is guest posting. Get ready to laugh and let go as you learn to trust God’s ability to care for you and those under your care.
Betsy de Cruz enjoys God, life, and dark roast coffee. She and her family live in the Middle East. Most days she feels privileged to live overseas; other days she wants to pull her hair out and catch the next plane home. Betsy’s vision is to encourage women to get God’s Word in, so their faith can spill out, even during life’s bumpy moments. You can find Betsy at her blog, faithspillingover.com, on Twitter, and on Facebook.
Fears for Your Kids
Was I crazy or just an idiot? My neighbor was throwing a party to celebrate her 9 year old son’s circumcision. Somehow my kids ended up in the red convertible heading the neighborhood parade. To the tune of a booming drum and screeching clarinet, honking cars took off in a line.
I stood at the curb watching my kids disappear and wondered, “How did I even let this happen?”
We’d only lived in Turkey four months. I barely knew these people. What if I never saw Andres and Camille again? I imagined calling my mother to tell her I’d lost the kids in a Turkish parade. Irrational fears filled my mind while I tried to enjoy the party.
My heart flooded with relief when my kids returned thirty minutes later. Bouncing with excitement, Andres and the other boys ran off with the soon-to-be circumcised Necat.
Three-year old Camille was screaming her head off.
“She started crying the minute we took off,” someone said. Awesome. My daughter had screamed for the duration of the parade. By the time I calmed her down, Andres was gone.
“Have you seen the boys?” I asked a friend.
“They’re in there with the hoja who’s going to do the circumcision,” she said, pointing to Necat’s closed bedroom door.
I realized in a flash that my five year old was about to see his friend’s foreskin cut off with a knife. Should I knock on the door and get him out of there? How could I interrupt their once-in-a-lifetime ceremony? I shot up a panicked prayer and waited.
Ten minutes later, Andres bopped out of the room, laughing.
The party happened 13 years ago. Despite my worries, my son was not scarred for life, but he definitely remembers that circumcision up close and personal!
I struggle with fear over my kids.
Are we messing them up by raising them in Turkey? Will they be able to adjust to life in America one day?
You probably never sent your kids off to join a circumcision parade, but I’m sure you can relate to parental anxiety. We worry over chicken pox, depression, learning disabilities, sunburn, accidents, bullying, and poison ivy.
Maybe the hardest part is sending them off. Whether we send them to school, Girl Scout camp, or their first day on the job, we wonder. Will they make it okay in the world?
That same boy who went off by himself in the red convertible is about to leave for college.
Always the worrier, I’m choosing to stand on the Rock and preach to myself.
The One who set the stars in place knows our children by name. He holds our kids in His hands and cares for them more than we do. When we send them out, the God of the universe goes before them. With Him as their shield and rear guard, they’re in a safe place.
Photo Credit: Flickr
When fears of school violence and internet dangers assault us, let’s fix our thoughts on the One who’ll guard our minds in perfect peace as we trust Him. Let’s turn those worries into prayers. God’s bigger than any threat our kids can face. (<===Click to Tweet)
As much as we might like to hover over our children to protect them from every danger, we can’t. They’ll make mistakes and encounter challenges, but God causes all things to work for good, and He’s got their good in mind (see Romans 8:28). We can entrust our kids to His care.
As we send them out into the world, let’s choose wisdom over worry and faith over fear.
Trusting Him,
Betsy
- What challenges do you face in trusting God with your kids?
- Recall a time when God protected your children when you were not there.
- Take a moment to lift up your children and the specific needs that they have at this time.
P.S. Read the rest of the #UnravelingGrace series here:
January: Hurts, Hope and Healing by Jennifer Watson
February: For the One Who Doubts God’s Sovereignty by Abby McDonald
March: Beating Inflating Fears by Kelly Balarie
April: When Life Unravels and You’re Barely Hanging On by Bethany Huff and Function in Chaos by Renee Griffin
May: Not that “Be Still” Thing Again! by Amy Dalke and Getting A Grip By Loosening It by Celeste Barnard
June: Choosing Stillness by Courtney Stanford and Facing Mountains of Fear by Jenni DeWitt
July: Pinning Control to the Carpet by Molly Dragert
Wow, Betsy! What an experience! I’m sure every one of us moms has faced that feeling of panic and the immediate accompanying prayer, “Lord, what should I do?” But your situation was definitely unique. Thank you for reminding us that our kids are also God’s kids…and He is ABLE to take care of them like we never can.
Yes, Sabra. He takes better care of our kids than we EVER could. 🙂 I’m sure you still worry sometimes too, huh? 🙂 we’re so good at that. I’m trying to worry less and trust more.
That is the BEST. TITLE. EVER. 🙂 But the message is one I can definitely take to heart, being a chronic worrier and over-protector. Trusting God with our kids is one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to do but He shows that He’s faithful. Thanks, Betsy.
Jeannie, I think I could learn VOLUMES from you about trusting God with our kids. From one chronic worrier to another, thank you so much for your kind words.
Oh Betsy! What a story. I know the fear, panic, and irrational thoughts about my children’s safety all too well. Though I can say I’ve never had an experience quite like yours!
We lived in Korea for a year and one of my daughters was born there. I know how hard it is to navigate social situations in a culture you don’t understand and that has different ideas about what children to do.
Thank you for reminding me to think about God’s bigness more than I dwell on my own irrational fears.
Be blessed! ~Elizabeth
Thanks, Elizabeth. You have TEN TIMES the material to get anxious about! (I only have two….) That is cool that you lived in Korea. I’m sure you DO know some of what I’ve lived.
Oh my Betsy, I’m certain I would have been in mommy panic-mode over the whole event! Yes, raising our babies can have those scary moments. I’m so thankful God listens to our urgent prayers too, and responds with peace and strength. Thank you for sharing this story with us!
Good to know I’m not the only one who has panic moments, Kristine! God is so patient with us. He knows He’s in control!
I’m not a mom yet but I also find myself often worried sick for my loved ones. I just try to learn in the idea that God loves them more than I could ever love them to calm myself down.
Thanks for sharing these funny and real experiences and emotions. 😀
Thanks, Lux! I also often worry about people who AREN’T my kids. 🙂 Good point. Trying to grow here.
Wow, hair raising!
We mothers learn our lessons about trusting God in the trenches, but it sure seems as if you who are raising your families cross-culturally have need of extra grace.
I always enjoy hearing about your life lessons.
Maybe we do need extra grace, Michele. On the other hand, you mothers back home in America face other challenges. General safety here is a lot greater, I feel. Less drugs and alcohol. But there’s a give and take. I guess each life has blessings and challenges.
Ha! Such a unique experience from an American perspective. Trusting God with my kiddos is a constant reminder of his faithfulness and sovereignty over all. Blessings, Tiffany
I felt a little bit of anxiety well up in my heart as I read your words, Betsy.:) Great lesson in trusting God with everything and realizing that He is more than good but he is trustworthy and faithful as well.
Blessings,
Dawn
Yes, Dawn! He is trustworthy and FAITHFUL. Always.
Betsy, not only did you make me laugh but this post is so timely for me. One of my biggest fears is something happening to my kids, and that fear has reared its ugly head again lately. Thanks for the reminder that the God of the universe holds them in his hands! Love your stories, friend. Xoxo
Wow Betsy! I loved this! Such a great story and such a great analogy! It is so very hard to trust our most precious gifts to GOD and it just shouldn’t be that way! Oh my how I flunked this and was such a dysfunctional helicopter mom. My hairy man boys make such fun of me over what I put them through… And all because of a lack of trust. ? lesson learned – but it kind of still stings me! Thank you for the laughs! And the reminder that our Father is ever so trustworthy!! ? love you friend! I will be praying for your move! ❤️
Trusting God with our kids. Why is that so hard. My girl is 30 and I still struggle. You made me laugh and you made me think. That’s a good combination!