Most people who have children share the same feeling that they always seem to have too many "worries", and always seem to be too busy to have the time and energy to "worry". From dawn to dusk, every waking moment seems to be filled with various worries or considerations for their children, such as their diet, clothing, homework, extracurricular activities, emotions, feelings, and their future.
However, many of these worries are ultimately temporary, are visible to our eyes, and usually have a very short life span. For example, the most mouth-watering cuisines will become stale and unpalatable after an hour or two, the most innovative technology will be replaced by new products in less than a year or two, and even the "all-powerful" parents in the eyes of their children will become outdated and powerless in less than a couple decades.
If we are unconsciously bound by various little and temporary worries, then we will be missing out on the more important, the "unseen", the "eternal", and the more worthwhile things.
“We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)
The Lord's Prayer begins with, "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven ......", followed by mentioning "our daily bread", "debts", "temptation", and "evil". What is most important, the things that we should be worrying about are clearly written. When we know how to turn our attention to the everlasting God, who created all things and reigns over all things, the temporary and insignificant difficulties are often overcome.
I remember when my children were very young, I asked my church sisters for advice on raising them, and what I heard most often was "bring them to church" or "draw close to God". Children are innocent and their ability to embrace God's word is strong. As God's words take root in their hearts, the cornerstones of their lives will gradually become firmer. As long as the children know how to fear God and rely on Him, there is nothing for the parents to worry about. As children grow up, they will be exposed to a wide variety of phenomena and challenges, many of which are unheard of and beyond the reach of their parents. Nevertheless, the God who created all things and reigns over heaven and earth is their source of help at any given time and place.
How short are our lives on earth?. Even if a person can live to a hundred years old, compared to the eternal God and the everlasting Truth, it is not even worth mentioning. Instead of devoting your short life to all kinds of worldly knowledge, skills, and getting caught up in the snares of uncertainties, why not strive instead to connect with the living God who is the most high? Luke 12:22-23 says, "do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing." Proverbs 4:23 says, "Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life."
As time passes by, children grow up happily in parent’s company, and parents age joyfully and busily. No matter how hard we try to prolong it, all the days of companionship will be like the blink of an eye. We must always distinguish the master from the subordinate, and recognize what is transient and what is eternal. "......we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.", and try our best to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God.
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