The Adventure of Parenting can cause us to pace at times…
Maybe it’s the nerves of watching your child perform at a recital or during their sporting events as you sit in the bleachers with nerves turning on the inside. It might be the anxiety that can creep into those nights where they’re driving behind the wheel and you’re not there any more with “vehicular corrective coaching.” It’s these moments and hundreds of others.
Pacing, at times, comes with the parental territory.
We pace because we love. We pace because we care.
There is another pacing that is important to keep in mind. It’s the pace we carry out while parenting…I’m going to suggest 3 parental paces we should be using as we raise children and invest in our grandchildren.
There will be times of:
- Running – those moments as a parent where you’re encouraging and helping your child stretch and challenge themselves. For example: I remember when my kids began walking and we’re having them step toward us, only to take a step back so they have to push themselves a bit. But it expands to those times where you’re having them stretch in what they can accomplish, relational tensions and difficulties they must navigate and even those struggles they have to muddle through. You’re “running” with them, helping them push themselves and stretch in order to grow stronger. In those moments you might not be able to be right there with them or solve their problems, but your watching them run, stretch and grow…praying and cheering them forward…
- Walking – these are those moments where you’re alongside them. Your shadow is intertwined with theirs as you’re a companion in their journey. Moments of partnering together to accomplish or achieve. It’s everything from creating memories to parental nurturing of their character. It’s everything from problem solving situations to a strategy session for current relationships, events or future life decisions. We “walk” alongside so they know they’re not alone. We desire them to know and to feel secure as we become a processing partner and provider of wisdom.
- Pausing – these are the moments of stopping and being still. Those moments where grief, trauma, challenge or hurts have overwhelmed our kids. Sometimes the boo-boo can be covered up with a band-aid, sometimes it takes much more resources and time. As a parent, you’ve “paused” to come alongside to provide comfort. We care. We cry with them. We carry them if needed. We champion their resolve through listening first and coaching second. Sometimes it involves “pausing” to fully savor the joy of a moment. It involves a celebration that stops the blur of life for a few minutes so to enjoy the wedding, the accomplishment, the graduation, the promotion, the achievement, the birth, etc. Pausing to celebrate, enjoy a meal and to savor the relationship and that moment of joy, is just as important as pausing to comfort amidst a painful struggle. Both are needed. (Romans 12:15)
I came across this poem that Rylee had made me for a Father’s Day as I was cleaning my office – it highlights the beauty of Parental Pacing. May you and I be given the wisdom to recognize what pace is needed…
I just love this post !!