Mama Bear

Recently my husband informed me he was going to take our 5-year-old son on an overnight backpacking trip. He was ecstatic about this trip as he explained it all to me. “Some of my friends and their boys are coming. We will park, hike back 3 miles, set up camp, have dehydrated food, and filter our water. It will be awesome.”

This is what I heard as I listened to my husband…

I am going to take your precious baby, who just turned 5 a week ago, to the woods where he might go thirsty or starve. Oh yeah, he might possibly fall into the river while being chased by a bear.

I felt myself slowing nod my head with a smile. “That sounds great babe, what a blast.”
That night, as I lay in bed thinking about this trip, I  felt my Mama Bear claws start to grow. I kept thinking of everything that could go wrong. He could get heat exhaustion, dehydration, an asthma attack, or he could break a limb.The list went on and on.

Hours later this Mama Bear came to the conclusion: My baby is not going on this backpacking trip, period.

I am not a negative Nancy, but when it comes to not being involved or in charge of my children, I become fearful.

I trust my husband. I know he will watch over and protect our son. He has planned this trip to perfection. I am so thankful that he wants to spend time with our children making  memories with them while teaching them life skills.

I am thankful, that despite  my fears and hesitation, he wants to make our children into warriors after Jesus’ heart.

I trust my God. When this trip  came up, I  had to seek the Lord and seek His Word to help me overcome this fear.

God loves my children more than my husband or I. He wants the best of the best for them.

“And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them, and blessed them.” (Mark 10:16)


So as their Mama, do I not allow them to experience things? Do I hold them back? Try to keep them safe at all times?

I recall reading in John Eldredge’s book Wild at Heart (60), the following warning.

Little Billy’s mother was always telling him exactly what he was allowed to do and what he was not allowed to do. All the things he was allowed to do were boring. All the things he was not allowed to do were exciting. One of the things he was never, never allowed to do, the most exciting of them all, was to go out through the garden gate all by himself and explore the world beyond.(Roald Dahl, The Minpins)
                                                                               


I refuse to be Little Billy’s mother and live in fear. I do trust my God.

We need to raise our kids to be brave warriors in today’s fallen world. We need to speak encouragement and braveness into them. We should want our children to feel fierce, not fearful, because of what might happen.

A few weeks prior to them leaving, I really felt peace with the trip. Fear no longer had a grip on this Mama Bear. I even helped them get ready for the trip. I was at complete peace, and I felt God’s presence.

The night before they left, I woke, with sweat dripping and my heart pounding. I had an awful nightmare about the trip. I said out loud, “My son and husband are protected in the name of Jesus, and they are going to have the best time together. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” Instantly, that fear rushed off and, again, I was at peace.

The next morning I waved goodbye as they went to make memories together.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

God created all of our children for a solid purpose. We, as Mama Bears, need to step back and trust God. He is their Abba Father, and He loves them unconditionally.

Word of the Day:

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. (Psalm 56:3)

Prayer
God, we pray peace over Your Mama Bears. We pray that You would take the fear out of us, and replace it with trust in You..  Please help us prepare our children, so they can fulfill Your calling on their lives. Help us to be fierce Mama Bears helping our children succeed in being brave warriors. Help us instill Your Word into them daily. Help us inspire our children, motivate them, and guide them. God, give us the strength and perseverance we need to complete our mission as Mama Bears to these children with whom you have trusted us.. We praise You for them, God. We praise You for the gift of motherhood. Today we put our fear, trust, and faith in you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen


Author: Elisha Hansen

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