The Unknown Path

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Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.         
Anthony J. D’Angelo

Yesterday we have two big events; finer things in my book!. Chloe had her first dental appointment and John had his first big haircut. Both went well. Chloe has beautiful clean teeth, 20 of them! She got to pick a prize from the prize room at the dentist then mommy and Chloe went out for lunch just the two of us. Lunch with my daughter? A finer thing for sure.  She was happy and looks forward to going back. John had his hair cut with daddy; he looks handsome and he did so well sitting still like a big boy.

These events had me thinking about the unknown path.

Chloe had no idea what happens after you arrive at the dentist; for her it was an unknown path.  As a young child, she doesn’t understand what all will happen or the necessity of it, but she simply trusts that what I tell her. For children, there are a lot of unknowns in life. They don’t always know what is coming next, or what the next day will bring.  They just know that whatever comes about, mommy and daddy will take care of them. We need more of that child-like trust! No matter what lies unseen around the next corner of our path, our heavenly Father will provide, protect and care for us. 

I read once that many events are not good or bad in themselves but neutral. It is our reaction that makes them good or bad. Chloe had no idea if going to the dentist was a good thing or a bad thing. John wasn’t sure if getting up on that chair was something he would like. They take their cues from us. For days before we went to the dentist, Chloe and I excitedly talked about what would happen and what an adventure it would be. Soon, Chloe began proudly declaring to everyone she met that she was going to the dentist. It became something to look forward to. Sometimes we give them obvious clues, talking and telling them about things. But sometimes, when we don’t even realize they are watching or listening, the pick up clues in our tone, our conversation with others, or our actions. It’s frightening at times {for me anyway} when I think about how I am teaching even when I don’t know it or don’t want to me. Littles don’t know how to react to many things in life, they look to us for wisdom to know how to respond. There are many things that I (we?) don’t know how to respond to. We should be constantly looking to our Ultimate Source of wisdom and the guidance He provided in His Word.

Is it easy for you to get your family excited about something by being excited yourself?  Have you ever “taught” something you wish you hadn’t?