Day 29: October 13, 2013
Mary “treasured all these things in her heart.” Each moment of a child’s life is a treasure, and an opportunity for growth and adventure. Children need space to discover their dreams and gifts. What looks like the terrible twos or adolescent rebellion may be the stirrings of a child’s vocation and discovery of their life’s work.
It’s difficult to give children space, especially in a world in which we are constantly bombarded by threats. Still, a child needs room to be her or himself, to go on adventures of the spirit to places never traveled, and to delight in the unexpected wonders of life. We need to be watchful while providing space for adventure.
Mary let go and came to treasure what at first seemed like teenage rebellion. She trusted God and her child Jesus enough to let him go and let him grow as God’s beloved child, the inspiration for our own beloved children.
Adventurous God, help us to let go so our children may grow. Awaken us to the right blend of order and novelty, structure and freedom, and security and risk. Help us to grow so that our children might flourish. Let us together embrace our identity as God’s beloved. In the name of the growing Jesus. Amen.
Bruce Epperly
Pastor
South Congregational Church
Centerville, MA
Author of Letters to my Grandson
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