Every Picture Tells a Story

Though it is commonly said that a picture is worth a thousand words, this is a Monday following a long weekend and nobody’s got time to read (or write) a blog of such length. So we’ll opt for the back-up cliché this week. In the words of the great singer-songwriter, Rod Stewart, “every picture tells a story, don’t it.”

So what’s the story with this one? Well, judging by the river rocks and clear stream, you might guess this was taken somewhere far away from our Oklahoma home. You’d be correct. If you know my family, you might suppose this particular somewhere is located in Colorado. You’d be two for two. Judging by those happenin’ shorts I’m sporting, you might also assume it was late in our vacation and I was out of clean clothes. Again, I would have to applaud you for being precise in your estimations. Yet when I look at this picture, it is symbolic of so much more. Let me explain.

I’m somewhat saddened as I gaze at the above picture this morning, I realize it captures what is more than likely, one of the last times I will attempt to catch our oldest son as he leaps to daddy. Brooks is a fifth grader this year and will soon be turning eleven. He has entered our middle school ministry here at the church and seems to be growing at an accelerated rate these days. I was able to catch him and stay dry in this particular photo. However, wisdom would suggest not pushing my luck next year.

It is exciting to see our boy developing into a young man right before our eyes. Really, it is…but it is also a bit scary. Scary because in the same way that I’m ill prepared to be catching this soaring pre-adolescent, I know my wife and I feel even less ready for some of the challenging years ahead. We often ponder questions like: at this rate how can we afford to feed him or keep him in clothes that fit? Which lead to even more important inquiries like: what can we do to engage him with the God of the Bible? How can we help point our son to his Savior?

So in a lot of ways, this snapshot illustrates the reality of parenting. Mom will continue to fill up the memory space on her iPhone taking pics and video of his games, events, and boulder hops. Meanwhile, I’ll be in the mix trying keep up, hoping to help him land safely. However, we are approaching, nay, have already reached the time that Brooks must venture ahead alone. To use this photo as an example, he will have to make some leaps and bounds by himself. He will be facing more decisions with weightier consequences in the years to come. Sometimes he’ll choose the right course of action and other times he’ll end up cold and wet. And there we will be with a towel and an opportunity to teach. While we wish we could be there to help him evaluate all of life’s decisions, we realize we are at times, quite limited in that regard. We also know that his faith, if it is ever to be real to him, must become his own.

So the real story told by this picture is the truth that all our children belong to God. He has entrusted us with them, blessed us with the task of raising them, and ultimately has loaned them to us so that we might learn to trust Him more fully and help our children know that they can do the same. I’m not sure where you are in this adventure of parenting. Whether you’re an empty-nester or a new parent watching your little one take those first steps, I’m going to guess that we have this much in common: it is never easy let go and see them grow. Oh might these stones and the pictures hanging in your homes, serve as a reminder that we have never been the ones controlling their ultimate safety. Rather, that responsibility falls on their Heavenly Father. May we encourage and challenge each other to make much of Jesus in our lives and in our homes… Father, may we do this parenting thing together for our joy and Your glory. We thank You for our children and ask that in Your strength we might steward them well.

matt@nbchurch.info

Twitter: @FattMowler

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