When my child was about 5 years old, we taught him to cross the street by himself. Even then, occasionally as we crossed a busy street together, he would reach out and hang on to our hands. We never slapped away his hand or ridiculed him for it. By the time he was 7, he was totally confident in his street-crossing abilities. He would run ahead of us, casually cross busy streets, and be waiting impatiently on the other side for us.
Many young people require a bit of hand-holding as they transition into new levels of maturity. Even after they are able to do things independently, they may reach out for guidance and comfort. It’s ok to grant them a grace period, allow them some time to get used to each new phase. As parents, we might feel as if we are coddling them, delaying their development into mature, confident grown-ups. Soon enough, they will be competent adults that are way ahead of us, waiting for us to catch up. And a few years later, they will be holding our hands again, this time helping us cross the street.
There is a difference between a young person reaching out for help and a parent who insists on a firm grip of control on an emerging adult. We, as parents, must encourage competence, not constrict it.
God, our Father, graciously holds on to our hands. HE would never turn away from us if we reach out to HIM for help, no matter what our age. At the same time, He would never stunt our growth by controlling us either.
“For I hold you by your right hand--I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, 'Don't be afraid. I am here to help you.” (Isaiah 41:13 NLT)
Lord, allow us to extend grace to our children, the same way YOU do for us. Show us how to guide them into maturity.
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