A quote from Angie Smith on her blog, as she was writing about a recent trip she took with Compassion International to India.........


"As Compassion says,
"We don't want to mold children into people they aren't.
Our goal is to love them enough to see what is hidden in them
and then work to help that blossom.""


Wow.
I believe that may be the statement of the century
and something every parent should strive to accomplish.
Not an easy task at all.
Most children don't
"Fit the mold" so to speak
and as a parent it is so easy to get caught in the trap
of what society wants or does not want our children to be.
We are all molded by our life experiences
and daily lessons we learn from living.
And us as parent's try to "drive the bus" for our children
based on what we believe they should be.
God knows what my children will be someday.
I need to try to hold on to that sometimes,
when I look at the dreams K has and
at times can't imagine the struggle that will be her's to accomplish it.
But God knows.
and I have to have faith that she will find her path
and be successful in what ever she chooses,
not what I choose for her.
I can not spare her the hurts that may be along the way,
but there may also be delight that I can not see.


It takes an incredible amount of faith to be a parent, and
an incredible amount of wisdom to just
"let it be" -
Guide but not direct.
Support but not stifle.
Teach and be patient when the lessons
do not seem to be learned.
Love with no expectation.
Listen and not judge.
Know when to push, and when to stand back.
Listen without speaking.
Be content with what is,
instead of unhappy with what should be.