When We Miss the Road

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;

But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

They have bowed down and fallen;

But we have risen and stand upright.

-Psalm 20:7-8

I confess that I have made many mistakes as a mother and homeschooling teacher.  Sometimes I would like to turn back the clock and have a second chance, but I know that will not happen.  What can one do when mistakes have been made?  Some mistakes are small.  Others are more significant.  We imagine that our children will forever pay the price.

In his book Knowing God, J.I. Packer writes, “If I found I had driven into a bog, I should know I had missed the road.  But this knowledge would not be of much comfort if I then had to stand helpless watching the car sink and vanish:  the damage would be done, and that would be that.  Is it the same when a Christian wakes up to the fact that he has missed God’s guidance and taken the wrong way?  Is the damage irrevocable?  Must he now be put off course for life?  Thank God, no.  Our God is a God who not merely restores, but takes up our mistakes and follies into His plan for us and brings good out of them.  This is part of the wonder of His gracious sovereignty.”

I thank God for Packer’s insight.  We, as parents who have miscarried, do not have to stand helpless watching our children sink because we have made mistakes.  Thank God, our children are in His hands and He loves them more than we ever could.  His hand is on them and He takes our mistakes and follies and uses them in His great plan for their lives.  Placing our children in the hands of the Lord is the best thing we can ever do for them.

Yes, I can learn from my mistakes and follies.  I can use what I have learned, not only to grow myself, but also to improve in my homeschooling efforts.  My younger children will benefit from the new knowledge I have acquired.  However, the sad truth is, I will never perfectly homeschool any of my children.  They will all be at the mercy of a fallen parent.  For this reason, I choose to trust in the Lord.  I do not trust in the systems of this world or in my infallibility.  I trust in Him.

Around me there are those who trust in chariots and horses.  But I will remember Him.  It is not the chariots and horses of a fallen world that keep us upright.  He keeps us upright.  He keeps our children upright.  When we trust in Him, we do not become perfect.  Instead, He raises us up and brings good out of our failings.  He also blesses our meagre attempts.  What a blessing it is to trust Him with our homeschooling and with our children.  May He raise them and help them to stand upright in the plans He has for them.