What If He Gets Lost?
KATY MCCOWN
“LORD, You are my portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future.” Psalm 16:5 (HCSB)
There he went. Just like that.
With
his eyes fixed on the journey before him, he didn’t have time to look
back. Confidence and anticipation pushed his feet faster. It was all he
could do to keep from breaking into a full sprint.
His dad walked
beside him, likely instilling one more value, one more reminder of how
to handle life on his own. And, really, it wasn’t life on his own, just
his first taste of life apart from family.
My son recently went
to his first overnight camp. For a week, my pre-teen would enjoy the
fellowship of Christian comrades and counselors along with many
adventurous outdoor activities and challenges.
And though I knew
this camp, I knew the people and I knew we were doing something good for
our son, my heart strings stretched. We walked him to his cabin, made
his bed and lingered in his room. In fact, we stayed so long it prompted
our son to ask, “When are y’all leaving?”
I took a deep breath, issued one last hug, then started the long walk to the car without my baby. As I walked, I worried.
Who
will tell him when it’s time for dinner? Who will sit next to him and
rub his back while he prays? Who will ask questions to be sure he’s
okay?
As I brought my concerns to Jesus, He reminded me of my
cat. Well, more like our cat and his relationship with the
aforementioned son.
See, Jonah, our son, makes it his business to
watch over Chief, the cat. It concerns Jonah when Chief wanders
outside. But Chief likes to be outside. So, at the slightest crack of
the door, Chief bolts.
He does what cats do outdoors. He chases
lizards and pounces on things only he can see. Chief basks in the
sunlight and sprawls out in the grass. He lives free and fulfilled —
right up until the moment Jonah sees him.
Then, it’s on.
Cat
dodges the first lunge. Jonah regroups. Cat hides behind a bush. Jonah
reevaluates. This goes on until the cat calls it quits and lets the
eager boy scoop him up and carry him back into the house … where Jonah
thinks Chief belongs.
It doesn’t bother anyone else for the cat
to enjoy the outdoors, so I’ve asked Jonah, “Why won’t you let him stay
out? He’s fine.”
“What if he gets lost, Mom?” Jonah answers with angst in his spirit. Nothing I say or do will change his mind.
The
funny thing is Chief doesn’t get lost. He never has. In fact, he never
really wanders too far from the house. Most days, he lays near the door
or even right under my feet if I’m outside. He likes to be around his
family, but he also likes the freedom to be a cat.
Just like my Jonah.
I
think being a parent might just be the greatest trust exercise we’ll
ever attempt. These kids, they’re like pieces of our hearts running
around on the street. We instinctively protect. We run ahead and
consider everything that could hurt, damage or mishandle them. But,
Chief taught me something.
Sometimes, our kids just need freedom. Freedom to become who God made them to be. Freedom to seek God for themselves.
In
our key verse, the psalmist praises the Lord for His provision over the
present and the future, “You are my portion and my cup of blessing; You
hold my future” (Psalm 16:5).
I’ve witnessed God provide for me,
bless me and line out a future for me. And I can trust He’ll do it for
my children, too. Because He is faithful and loves our children more
than even we do, we can release our children into God’s care as they
grow into His plans.
If your little one is growing up way too
fast, rest in this today: God is his portion. God is his blessing. God
holds his future.
Does my son still need me? Absolutely! As
parents we have a big job that requires daily patience and teaching. But
our children need God and His promises even more than they need us. And
for that, we can be thankful.
Dear God, I’ve seen You move and
work so often in my own life. Help me trust the same provision I’ve
witnessed from Your hand is at work in the lives of my children. As they
grow each day, draw them nearer to You. May they feast on Your portion,
rejoice in Your blessing and trust in You for their future. In Jesus’
Name, Amen.