In the face of Children.

In the face of my children, I see myself. I don’t see myself because they look like me, but rather because I am like them.

I often regret getting angry about something they have done, because in my childish heart, I know why they did it, I likely would have done the same thing.

I know we are to teach them, and some things need to be disciplined. However, I can’t help feeling sad for shutting down their sense of adventure. When it comes down to it, that’s all they want, is to live freely.

I lament that this world doesn’t allow such freedom, neither for children, or adults.

Today, my toddler ran into my neighbors house. She just ran in without asking anyone (I was right behind her). Now, I know why she did it. She thought that her friends were home, but they weren’t. So she helped their grandmother put the groceries away instead, and then preceded to check out the rest of the room. My neighbors are lovely people, and I am grateful for folks like them. I am grateful that they didn’t look at me with frustration, or judgement. Rather, they looked at me with understanding, and enjoyed her company. Clearly this is something we need to work on, but it is something I wish I didn’t have to work on.

My child loves people, and she loves to explore. She loves life, and I wish she could have the freedom to do so.

It is in the face of my child that I see myself.

“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,

The leopard shall lie down with the young goat,

The calf and the young lion and the fatling together;

And a little child shall lead them.

The cow and the bear shall graze;

Their young ones shall lie down together;

And the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

The nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole,

And the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper’s den.

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,

For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord

As the waters cover the sea.

Isaiah 11:6

-Grace.