growing up

I thought I was all grown up. As it turns out, I have so far to go! Remember when your kids were little and it was time to go for a walk, or walk across the parking lot or the street, and you needed them to hold your hand? remember how they pull and fight and don't want any part of it, because they know what's right and what's best? you know better than them what they need. But they don't think so! not only does that happen everyday here with things like... time to take a nap, I need you need to eat this, don't stand on the couch or write on the walls, or in holding my hand to cross the street, but now it is also happening with my teenagers as well. As a baby bird tries to hatch from her egg, she pecks at anything in the way. Sometimes what stands in the way of her flying the nest is mama. Mama needs to learn when to step up and stand her ground, and when to move off the nest, and maybe even give them a push! (Of course only when the time is right and not every time you feel like it and they get in your way or in your space!)My girls are very good girls ,but as with all teenagers they need to spread their wings. It could be in simple ways like trying to be forceful in their opinions, how they reorganized my house, what they want to do with their time, or where they want to go, or what they don't want to do. it's a mixed blessing. this is as it is supposed to be, but it doesn't make it any less difficult. it's like going into labor with a child. It's the way it's supposed to be, but it hurts like anything. Eventually, the pains subside and you have a beautiful new being. The same is true for teenagers. Some day, if they listen to reason and wisdom, they will become beautiful beings. In the meantime it hurts for them,  and it hurts for me. I am also realizing how often I do the same thing to the Lord. So often I have my ideas and my ways and I think that this must be the right way to do things, or the right way to go. I wonder how often he humors me, and smiles gently at my mistakes? And how often he wants to forces me to hold his hand? I wonder if he looks at me and wonders when I will grow up? How long will this take? Or does he gently hold me in his arms and carry me and continued to whisper to me telling me the way to go? I hope that I caused him as little grief as my girls have done thus far, and that I can be as patient with my girls as he is patient with me! That I can learn to be patient and let them make mistakes and spread their wings.  That they will be quicker to learn to listen to wisdom and instruction than I am!