Wednesday, March 30, 2011

A lesson on the beach with Elizabeth


I took Elizabeth to the beach
I smiled wide as she explored the sand, touched the sea shells, threw rocks, and pointed at birds.
I also saw how she became fixated on the other children there
She stared at them
and was transfixed by their mannerisms

she was...studying them

I felt myself growing anxious
My heart said, "look at Jesus, Elizabeth"

I worry for her.  
The checkout lines in the grocery store -- airbrushed girls --self idolatry
Bieber fever -- human commodification 

I felt unsettled 
that sand and seashells
rocks and birds 
don't have as much to say as the magazines and marketing. 

"How could I have brought a little girl into such a difficult world?", I thought.  
My heart replied, "maybe your little girl is exactly what this difficult world needs"

2 comments:

Beth said...

So true - every generation of parents have these 'panic attacks' - it is such a huge responsibility and sometimes that almost seizes one up (for me it was the plethora of advertisements of scantily clad women - "God, how do my boys stand a chance?!!!)
God is in these moments too as you are experiencing. He is pleased by your desires for Elizabeth and He will be your help . . . be not dismayed. You are doing a fabulous job and other are praying and will come alongside you as you both have done and are doing for the youth and parents in your care (like us!!).

joseph.david.white@gmail.com said...

Thanks Beth! That really means a lot :)

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