Short and Shortsighted

With the tick of the clock when Mother Time made Jacob a three year old, a new person emerged. An independent, fully grown, knowledgeable, capable and self-sufficient young man now lives with us. Yes, short of driving the car, Jacob really doesn't need us anymore. He thinks.

He shuns help of any kind. He knows when he is hungry and what he should eat (which ironically seems to always be gummy bears, cookies and peanut butter), when he needs to go potty, whether or not he needs a nap, and what kind of discipline is appropriate. It's a wonder to have him in our household.

Sarcasm noted.

Now, I love this boy, but there have been days lately when I have clenched my jaw so tightly I actually felt my molars turning to powder. For example, the other day in Target, when Jacob walked away from me because he needed to go find "somefing." In a millisecond, he had completely disappeared and I was running from aisle to aisle frantic to find him. When I finally caught up with him, across the store and several aisles up, he insisted he was fine and it wasn't a big deal.

The place that causes the most jaw clenching is the parking lot. Why a person that is 38 inches tall- that would be bumper height for the average American car these days- thinks they can just saunter through a parking lot, neither looking left nor right, darting, dashing, stooping to look at a cool piece of gravel, bewilders me. For a boy who knows everything, why do I have to explain this to Jacob? Why do I have to chase him down to grab his hand? Why do I have to endure the stares when shouting "stop" like a wild woman?  Why do I have to repeat the mantra "Cars are in parking lots, cars will hurt you, you have to hold my hand in the parking lot" every single time we go anywhere?

The same reasons that Jacob walks willy-nilly through a parking lot blind to the fact that he is practically invisible to moving vehicles everywhere, or that make him think he can pour his own milk, or that make him think he doesn't need to go potty when in fact, his bladder is so full that a little pressure on the tum tum and it would all come out are the same reasons why day after day we too, walk around thinking we know it all, can handle it all and have it all under control. A failure to recognize how very weak our flesh is.

It's exhausting to be so self-sufficient. Although Jacob no longer needs a nap, bahahahahahahahaha snort snuffle, sorry, thats just what he thinks, when I force him to his bed every afternoon he sleeps like the dead for a solid hour and a half. He is simply worn out from taking care of himself, and from fighting my attempts to help him.

Well, I have good news, much like Jacob could have a pretty easy life if he acknowledged the greater power in his life that could make it happen (i.e. his MOTHER), we can have a much easier life if we accept the loving care that God offers to His children. You can unburden yourself of things you really can't control anyway and leave them in His capable Hands. After all, He just wants what's best for you.

In this world of hurt, angst, fear, hate, war, uncertainty this one thing I know for sure:

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries,

all your concerns, once and for all] on Him,

for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.

I Peter 5: 6-8