Unseen Mountains

As a parent I can so easily fall into the trap of focusing on everything I am not doing right. I worry I do too much for them. Then I wonder if I don't do enough. Either way I am always concerned with the life lessons I am teaching them and ultimately the type of people they will turn out to be This week we are in the island at hockey camp. We arrived two days ago amidst sunshine and clear blue sky. I really love this camp because it teaches my kids about much more than hockey. It challenges them to dig down deep and realize who they really are At the orientation session the head coach described how he knew 7 year olds that could tue their skates and 8 year olds who paid their own way for the week. His message was clear- don't do for our kids what they can do for themselves. I walked around that evening feeling guilty if doing just that But then yesterday happened. A day that was painfully hard for my 11 year old son. A day that took him back to a place of fear and anxiety that he has worked so hard this year to overcome. Watching Zachary persevere through yesterday, I was so proud And reminded that not all mountains our children conquer are easily seen or measured. My 6 year old may not be able to tie her skates. My boys may not have paid their own way here this week. But that doesn't mean they haven't grown in their character or had to dig down deep to win their battles. God has great plans for our kids. My greatest responsibility s their mom is to let Him accomplish them And that requires that I let go of other peoples' expectations and thank God for the sometimes "unseen"mountains that he is climbing with them and growing them through