Training Wheels

Matthew 11:29 -- "Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble at heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

   

image: performancebike.com

Standing beside both of my sons at a checkout lane in the grocery store it was hard for me to imagine that they were not always taller than I am. And yet, it feels like just a short time ago that I was teaching them to ride a bike. I remember when the training wheels came off and they were both so very proud to pump the petals all on their own. 

Of course, that was a long time ago. They don't need me to hold the bike up for them anymore. And like that wobbly moment of declared independence all those years ago - they are at a point in time when some of life's training wheels are coming off. AND -  just like when they were little, there may be some bumps and scrapes acquired as they take the training wheels of childhood off and grow into their roles as men of God. 

The temptation for me is that I still want to reach out and grab the bike for support. But if I never let go, they'll never realize that they CAN actually petal on their own. They can't become the men God wants of them if I'm holding on to the back of the bike seat. There is a point in a parent's life when it's no longer support, but instead, holding on to them holds them back.

Recently my oldest found himself in a situation that cost him dearly. He made a poor decision and is painfully reaping the seeds that he sewed in haste and in the impatience often associated with youth. As a parent, I am heart-broken by his reckless decision. But - I also ache with him and long for healing and mercy on his behalf. 

When Jesus came upon the vender tables outside the temple before passover he must have been heart-broken. [John 2:13-17] There, in the place of worship was a market place set up for the sole purpose of making money. He was angry, and understandably so. But if we really look at these verses we see that yes - Jesus WAS actually gentle. I mean, think about it - He really could have brought the whole place down and turned it to rubble. 

Through out his entire ministry we see that when Jesus corrected  his disciples or those he taught along the way, he was firm but also strong. Gentle can be very strong when it needs to be. The thing is - it DOESN'T have to be mean.

image: pixshark.com

Think about it - when our child stumbles off the bike during those first few moments without the training wheels does it help he/she grow if we yell and call them names?

In the aftermath of his hasty and poor decision, a fellow parent was none to kind toward my oldest son. It made me sad on so many levels. And as I watched the tears fall down the side of my son's cheeks, I reached out to him in strong gentleness. Yes, he made a mistake. Unfortunately, there are consequences. But I also know that every single parent out there has made mistakes. No parent on this earth is perfect. I know I'm certainly not. AND, as I'm sure my parents can tell you, there were many growing up pains in my young adult life that also inflicted some pretty sharp pains on my Mom and Dad. They were never mean to me. And I am so very, very thankful for their gentleness.

Sunday is Mother's Day. I am so very grateful to my Mom for her gentle guidance - even when I caused her pain. I am thankful that I had a wonderful example to lean on when it came to dealing with my son's recent trip-up on his rocky and root-laden path to maturity.

I am so very, very thankful for the precious gentle mercy, forgiveness, and grace offered to us by Jesus Christ. It is the very least I can do to offer others the same.