Another Viewpoint

I remember discovering that one of my teenage kids had been living a much higher (in the sense of decadent not spiritual!) life than I ever imagined possible for any of my little darlings. Like most moms, I was convinced that our kids wouldn't do such things - well, not as teens anyway. (And before your imagination runs away with you, let me say it was pretty minor stuff by today's standards) Anyway, I was a disillusioned mess, wringing my hands before God, whinging away: probably telling Him what He should do about the matter. Suddenly, unexpectedly, this thought cut across my thinking in the way I have come to recognize as His voice to me: "So, Alison - if you had the power to orchestrate the lives of your children, how would you do it?" Stopping in midstride, (often I pace when I pray - specially if its hard stuff) stunned at the question, I thought about it. As the answer began to filter through to me, I realised how foolish, even dangerous, my way would be. I would never allow any pain, any trouble, any need or lack, any loss, any sorrow, to touch them: I would ensure that they would only experience happiness and pleasure and comfort and safety and health. The next thing through my mind : (not sure now, after all these years, whether it was Him again, or whether I asked myself this): "So - what sort of people would the children have grown up to be then?" Good question, no?