A Lesson from God on Parenting

“No, I want to do it,” he said as I offered to cut his sausage for him. 

I thought I’d let him give it a shot and after a while of struggling, I’d take over and cut it up for him. 

But he did it (as you can see). 

He struggled for a bit but eventually got it cut up with his fork. I was filled with pride and also feelings of sadness as it proved to me that he’s a big boy and is needing me less and less. 

Then my mind went on to other moments where he could’ve exerted his independence and I didn’t let him. Moments where I was holding on too tight to his littleness and didn’t let him try something on his own. I’m sure there were plenty of those moments. 

And then my mind trailed off and I began to wonder what it’s like for God. 

The moments where we pray to Him and ask Him to just do something for us. I’m sure He’d love to just answer every request and just take away all of our pain and our struggles but then what would life be like for us if that were the case? 

He knows He could just take care of it all for us but instead, He telling us, “No, you’re going to try this on your own and you’re going to learn how to do it by yourself.” 

We all know in those moments, He’s still there. He’s cheering us on or whispering to us and explaining to us the steps we need to take but stepping back and letting us own it. And while we get angry when He doesn’t answer every prayer or just take away all of the struggles we’re facing, we know that He’s being a good Father. He’s teaching His children along the way. 

So while I’ve been holding on too tightly to my little boy and trying to do it all for him and be all for him, I know it’s time to start letting him be more independent. 

It’s time to step back and let him find some independence and confidence. 

It’s time for me to take a lesson from my Father above in parenting.