By Eastin Kandt
Isaiah 40:11
“He will take care of his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs together and carry them in his arms; he will gently lead their mothers.” Isaiah 40:11 GNB
It is hard being a parent. Of course, I don’t have any experience except from watching my parents parent me and my sister. From this, I can safely say that parenting can be VERY difficult. My sister and I are at the age where they are gradually losing control over us as we become more independent adults and prepare to go off on our own. At this time, parents start to think about everything they did wrong while raising the children and what they could have done better.
“I should’ve taught you how to deal with stress better”, “I should’ve taught you how to take care of a household better”, “I should’ve have taught you how to handle people that annoy you better”, and the list goes on and on of all the things that parents can come up with that they did wrong.
And the truth is? They’re right. No parent can raise a child perfectly, because they themselves are not perfect. However, there is hope and that hope is Christ.
He will take care of his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs together and carry them in his arms; he will gently lead their mothers. This is what Isaiah tells us. Parents worry constantly that their children will stumble and fall and they won’t be able to help them back up again. There is no need for worry, because Christ is always there.
Christ is leading the parents just as much as the children. He is protecting them from harm. He is reminding us here that there is no need to fear, for he is there. We can have hope in the future if we let him in to help us.
This Christmas you and your kids are a year older than last Christmas. Things have changed. You have changed. Your children have changed. But Christ hasn’t. No matter who is or isn’t there this Christmas, Christ is there to support you. Have hope in Christ this Advent for He is there.