When I compare this whole journey to my parenting experiences, I find so many similarities. When we had our first child, we had NO CLUE what we were doing. I’d taken care of my fair share of kids before without incident, but this was different. This little thing was something that I was completely responsible for 24/7. That was almost 12 years ago, and although we’ve added another one to the mix, I still feel like I’m flying in the dark. But, no matter how hard it’s gotten, I’ve never cursed them. I’ve never, out of my personal feelings of failure, wished bad things on them or their futures. It’s a bitter sweet journey that’s getting increasingly difficult as we head into the valley of the teens (Lord, please give me strength!), but I don’t abandon my children … I can’t. Not only is it extremely illegal, but they are MINE.
I’m learning to look at my ‘dream babies’ in the same way. I don’t know what I’m doing, but I know that this ‘baby’ is mine, and every day I just have to keep moving. If I keep feeding it, spending time with it, lifting it in prayer, and asking for help with it when I’m lost, I think I’ll be just fine. It’s tough, but I’ve already brought it into the world, I just can’t abandon it now. If you’re reading this, and you’ve been a part of the village that has helped me move (however slowly forward) thank you.
If you’re a parent of a phenomenal ‘dream baby’ share it with us. Let’s navigate this thing together!