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Happy Go Stuckey

Tethering Grace & Togetherness

Ready. (FMF)

September 11, 2014 by HappyGoStuckey 25 Comments

(**Psst, maybe consider scrolling down and clicking on the video while you read?)

“I’m not ready for this.” 

As a parent, I’ve said that phrase countless times. My inability to keep up with the rapidly forward- moving pace of life gives insight into my focus. Did you catch it? “I’M NOT READY.”

The trouble is, we rarely think we are ready for change. Where our children are concerned, they are almost 100% more ready than we think we are for whatever next step is next.

Last month, it was Kindergarten. Five days a week. That’s every day but Saturday and Sunday, by the way. That’s a lot of days for a mama and her green-eyed homebody girl. And it hasn’t been easy. But she’s blooming. And she gets in the car and tells how she made friends with a classmate who was “all alone”  I’m smiling now and I remember that HIS hand is guiding her, not my ability to watch her every step.

And at Church she moved up from the Preschool department and I think I might just cry if she stops wanting to wear hair bows. But that first Sunday morning– she stood on the chair next to me and she read the Worship lyrics and she SANG. Of her own accord to my God who I hope she will choose to follow. And I never, just never knew that kind of joy of standing next to my barely grown 5 year old and realizing the capacity that growing creates. She was ready for this. And it readies her for what’s next.

And Oh, I hope I’m growing and growing some more with the same breathless joy. I hope that when God is leading me farther, higher, into more– that I get up and JUST GO. Laughing at the future, not looking back forlornly.

Let’s agree, you and me. No shrinking back, no refusal to be stretched, even when it feels strangely like growing pains. Even when we can NOT see where He will lead us next.

Unknown City. Unknown job. Unknown future. Unknown path. Unknown Whatever.

That restless feeling? It may just be the movement of God as He moves toward you to move you FORWARD.

Let’s just be ready to go. Higher. Deeper.

Because one thing we know, HE GOES BEFORE US.

And this– because well, All Sons and Daughters says it pretty well.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGDVlOKoOoE]

Linking up with the fantastic Flash Mob of Writers over at Kate’s for Five Minute Friday. 

A Letter to My 17 Year Old Self
Hawaiian Banana Bread

Comments

  1. Holly Barrett says

    September 11, 2014 at 10:36 pm

    So thankful He goes before us always…whether I’m really ready or not…and particularly to get me ready sometimes! Great post, Cynthia!

    Reply
    • happygostuckey says

      September 14, 2014 at 9:22 am

      Hi Sweet friend. Very rarely are we ready, right? Glad He prepares the way and so often waits patiently for us to “get it in gear!” 🙂

      Reply
  2. Asheritah (@asheritah) says

    September 11, 2014 at 10:54 pm

    I wholeheartefly agree with you on this: “No shrinking back, no refusal to be stretched, even when it feels strangely like growing pains. Even when we can NOT see where He will lead us next.” It’s in the mystery of the unknown that lies ahead… that’s where growth happens.

    Reply
    • happygostuckey says

      September 14, 2014 at 9:21 am

      Hey Asheritah! The mystery is often where the growth happens, isn’t it? I find myself often thinking I have no idea of the next few steps to take– but that’s when I’m reminded He guides our steps. And I’m so thankful for that very thing.

      Reply
  3. Anita Ojeda says

    September 11, 2014 at 10:59 pm

    This week kindergarten, next week college. Ok, maybe it’s not that fast, but it sure seems like it! How wonderful that she’s growing and you’re growing right along with her!

    Reply
    • happygostuckey says

      September 14, 2014 at 9:19 am

      I think you’re right, Anita… because I definitely feel like they were just newborns and I was staring at them, wondering at how incredibly small they were. 🙂 Thanks for coming by!

      Reply
  4. Somer says

    September 11, 2014 at 11:12 pm

    I agree, It really feels like parenthood is the vehicle God uses to ready us for life, really. Our kids being the byproduct of all we learn… I loved reading this!

    Reply
    • happygostuckey says

      September 14, 2014 at 9:18 am

      I love that Somer, “parenthood is the vehicle God uses..” Thank you for stopping by.

      Reply
  5. JamieG says

    September 12, 2014 at 12:03 am

    HE goes before us! And that means not just me, but my kids too, even when I can’t, because so often I can’t! Amen

    Reply
    • happygostuckey says

      September 14, 2014 at 9:14 am

      YES! Amazing how watching them grow, grows us. Thanks for saying hi, Jamie!

      Reply
  6. karrileea says

    September 12, 2014 at 12:57 am

    Oh I love this… I remember those very moments with my own girlie who is now All Growed Up (as she used to say way back when!) I’m with you, friend… (and oh how I love All Sons and Daughters!)

    Reply
    • happygostuckey says

      September 14, 2014 at 9:10 am

      Karrilea, I always love to see IG posts when you three are all together, even though she is officially a college student. Love that you and your girl are BFF’s. My mom and I are too. <3

      Reply
  7. stoopingformanna says

    September 12, 2014 at 6:24 am

    Cynthia- I love this! And this line echoes in my own heart today, “I hope that when God is leading me farther, higher, into more– that I get up and JUST GO. Laughing at the future”. May we both laugh together! Great post! #fmf

    Reply
    • happygostuckey says

      September 14, 2014 at 9:15 am

      Yes, Karen. Let’s laugh together. Thanks for saying hi!

      Reply
  8. Crystal S. says

    September 12, 2014 at 9:02 am

    Way to make me cry over my coffee this morning with these sweet words. Love this 🙂

    Reply
    • happygostuckey says

      September 14, 2014 at 9:04 am

      I definitely shed a few tears writing it, Crystal. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
  9. amypboyd says

    September 12, 2014 at 9:20 am

    I remember those days with both my sweet kiddos. They are each now in their 20’s and one is out of the house on his own. It seems like just yesterday I was carrying school supplies in to class for him and then this past weekend I carried boxes into his new apartment.

    Reply
    • happygostuckey says

      September 14, 2014 at 9:09 am

      <3 Amy, I love that this community offers us all the opportunity to say, "Me too" whatever the stage. It does this mama's heart good to know he still needed you to help carry boxes.

      Reply
  10. Rachel Quigley says

    September 12, 2014 at 9:26 am

    Yes….we are never really ready as parents…they are always more ready, and rightly so! I left my daughter on the other side of the continent for college…now that was something I wasn’t ready for! But God prepares us, stretches us and gets us through! Thanks for these words of encouragement! 🙂

    Reply
    • happygostuckey says

      September 14, 2014 at 9:07 am

      Thank you, Rachel. He does stretch us and get us through. Praying His continued peace over you and your girlie!

      Reply
  11. our3strandcord says

    September 12, 2014 at 11:58 am

    This. This brought me to tears. Just what this mama’s heart needed to hear. Beautifully written. Thank you for faithfully being God’s vessel to pour out these timely words.

    Reply
    • happygostuckey says

      September 14, 2014 at 9:06 am

      Love you friend, and that little baby boy you’re holding. I pinky promise to let you cry to me when he goes to Kindergarten.

      Reply
  12. MarriedaYouthPastor (@lizvonE) says

    September 12, 2014 at 3:45 pm

    Love this song!

    Reply
    • happygostuckey says

      September 14, 2014 at 9:05 am

      Me too, Liz. It’s so tempting to stay where we are and not be stretched sometimes, isn’t it?

      Reply
  13. ssandrax says

    September 12, 2014 at 4:39 pm

    That’s a good one!!! Even if we feel like we aren’t ready for, God Is at our side to guide us…

    Reply

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I'm Cynthia and I'm so glad you're here. I am an introvert with an extrovert's love of gathering people together. I love good books and capturing moments. Whether you visit me here or on my own front porch, I'll be the one holding the Iced Coffee for us both.

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