If you’ve ever been to a wedding dance or teenage function there’s a good chance you’ve heard Chubby Checker’s Limbo Rock.
“Every limbo boy and girl
All around the limbo world
Gonna do the limbo rock
All around the limbo clock”
Invariably the long pole is presented. If you’re like me you watch from the sidelines and wonder if the contorted participants have their chiropractor on speed dial.
Limbo also makes me think of something else.
How it feels to watch my young, adult children navigate their faith in a crazy, crazy world.
I can’t help but think of the verse in Isaiah.
“My people don’t know up from down.” Isaiah 1:3 MSG
You see when the world cries that there is no right or wrong we end up in limbo. Or Gumbo. Or Bimbo. Does it really matter what we call it? If there is no absolute truth and we can make up our own moral compass why not make up our own nouns and use them however we see fit?
If this post is sounding snarky. It isn’t meant to be. Not one dot. I’m just a mom on the other end of keyboard who’s spent recent years watching her high school/college age kiddos meet “the real world.”
I cannot help but express concern over what I’ve seen through my very naive eyes.
- Pain
- Loneliness
- Confusion
- Loss
- Doubt
- Despair
Friends, I wish it wasn’t so but the world is full of hurting people. I know that pain has no age limits but my recent exposure to the hardships college students face has left my heart split wide open. They are full of such hopes and dreams. But hope that’s not grounded in truth is rarely realized. If it is… it is temporary at best.
What is a DoAhead to do?
I don’t have a manual or 21 scriptures to point to. I can only share what Doc and I do.
Live It Out
Our kiddos see Mom and Dad pray together, read the Word, attend church, participate in bible study, and minister to others. It’s not dogmatic. It’s not preached. Its just love lived out for the One that loves us.
Let Go of the Bike
A friend recently said that it would be incredibly difficult to ride a bike if there was someone behind you constantly hanging on to it. I needed to hear that. Doc and I are both getting better about letting go.
Now and then we wince. It’s hard not to close your eyes when your kid’s bike is headed toward a tree. But we’re learning. They’ll never figure out how to take a hard right if we’re constantly holding on.
Love Them No Matter What
It’s easy to love someone when they’re living out my own cherished beliefs. {I like mirrors way too much.} But when they don’t…when they make choices I don’t value, what is the most effective way to lead? I think I already know.
Unconditional love.
Doc and I have received it. Who are we to withhold it?
How about you? Is someone in your life in limbo? Are you at a loss? Don’t be!
Jesus is an anchor not a buoy.
He’ll steady you and give you strength, wisdom and discernment regarding what to do, what to say and equally important what not to do or say. Jesus isn’t limbo. He is Lord and for that I am eternally grateful.
“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-4 NLT
“Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans…” Romans 8:26 MSG
Your DoAhead Friend,
Right there with you as a mother of young adults tackling college and the real world, Cindy! You share some great advice. We’ve taught them how to ride a bike; now it’s time to let go. Oh but it’s hard! Glad to be your neighbor at #livefreeThursday!
Letting go is the hardest part is it not?! So glad you stopped by “neighbor”!
I loved this, Cindy! Although I’m not yet mom to young adults, I’m mothering a daughter in the early teen years… LAWDY!!! We have opposite personalities, and we. are. clashing. like. Titans. I love what you said about letting go of the bike… the guilty, overprotective momma in me is cringing right now at that thought. But I know it’s needed a bit. Your advice was fitting for me, as well, so thank you! I always love your raw honesty! #livefreeThursday
“Clashing like Titans.” Love it ‘cuz it’s true is it not. Oh how we love those peeps but there can be challenges. I am eternally grateful for the wisdom and perspective His word lends us as we navigate those seasons of rough waters. I’m hanging on to the bouy with you! 🙂
I’ve made it through the college years and am now navigating my children in marriages! Whew, this momma’s heart doesn’t rest! I am now blessed to have a new grandson and I find that need to hold on intensified as I look at the world he will grow into. We need “The Anchor” more than ever! Thanks for the reminder!
Cindy, I’ve thought the same thing with regard to grandchildren. We’re not there yet but those days will come fast. More than ever I’m grateful that God keeps His own as the apple of His eye. It’s always a treat to hear your thoughts! Have a wonderful weekend friend!
Let go and let God. Nothing more liberating than that. 🙂
You’re 100% right Lux…true freedom!
I love this, Cindy. A little birdie told me it was your birthday last week…I hope it was lovely for you! I’m still holding onto my children’s bikes with a death grip, but I know the season is coming where I will have to let them go. I am praying I have the strength and wisdom to do it well.
Yes Sarah…I’m older AND wiser! Ha! I have no doubt you’ll be able to let go Sarah. You know the One who has them in His grip and that makes all the difference. So glad to see you!