The kids are older now—not so round, not so playful. So much of the parenting I intensely focused on in years past seems to fall away at this stage. As they start to stand on their fawn legs and become as much a part of the world ‘out there’ as inside the walls of my home, I only know one thing for sure:
What I want for them most is to have Jesus.
It feels over-simplistic even as I write it. But I see no other answer that gives them all the answers. The Answer that buoys them when they’re far from home; that guides them in all of the big decisions; that heals the brokenness that’s there or will surely come.
I just want Jesus for them. More and more, it’s that overarching desire that guides my thoughts and decisions; it softens my voice and focuses my words.
As we drive in the car, as we wait at the doctor, I search out one more way to say that nothing else I can give them matters more. Jesus is my whole world and I hope and pray He becomes their whole world too.
I could worry about their future. I’m tempted to do that. But when the worried thoughts come in, I only have to remember this:
Jesus really wants them, too.
