Running Away

Have you ever thought of running away? I'm sure most of us have - more so now as an adult, than as a child. I find that I often long to run away to the beach and put my toes in the sand. Or to a cabin by a lake. Or in a boat on a lake, with a good book in my hand. I think we all long for peace now and then, and our children are no exception. They also have similar longings to have a sense of freedom from everything.

I have three children ~ ages 25, 23 & 18. They are so fun to be around... now. But when they were all living at home, it wasn't always the case. There were days when my biggest fear was that they would actually run away from home. I'm sure most parents worry about that, too. I prayed a lot, asking God to lead them in His path so that they wouldn't ever come to the point where they felt the need to run. I've achingly thought about where they would go, and how they would survive, and would they ever come back. So before my oldest became a teenager, I sat all three of them down and made them make a promise to me. I made them promise that, if they ever had the urge to run away, they would take me with them. At the time, I knew how silly that was. And I knew that if any of them ever ran away for real, that I would probably be the last one they want to take with them. But I never dreamed what would come from that simple, spur-of-the-moment, silly little promise.

Years later my middle daughter, who was in junior high at the time, was fed up with all the drama at her school. She was tired of the boyfriend stealers, and the gossipers, and the I'm-better-than-you attitudes from so-called friends. She came home, called out to me, and stated: "Mom, I want to run away with you." My heart sank, and soared, at the same time. I hurt for her, but wow, what an opportunity I had here! I said ok, grabbed my keys and purse and off we went. At first I had no idea where to go or what to do. It still amazes me how God brings things to your mind at the right moment you need them! The thought of a cold drink on a hot Houston day came to mind, so we headed to the nearest fast food place and ordered ice cream drinks. The entire time, I'm praying: what do I do? were do we go? how can I make this memorable so that this run away with Mom thing becomes the norm, and not the most feared thing in my life? God then brought to mind a small park nearby. So, we took our drinks to the park. We sat and talked, we played on the playground equipment, and walked on the walking trail next to a small creek.

I can't tell you how great that felt, to be able to turn something negative into a positive... to make a special memory out of a bad day... to just be there for my child when she needed me the most. Be there for your children. Play with them, laugh with them, run away with them - they need your support, encouragement, and love ALL of the time - from the time they are born until the time you leave this world. Don't hold back. Be like God - love unconditionally!