Blazing Your Own Trail
- Vernita "Neat" Simmons
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
“It shall come about after this That I shall pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and your daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions. (Joel 2:28, AMP).
Whose dreams are you going after? Yours, or someone else’s? I do believe that everyone is good at something because God has placed a special talent within each of us. Inspired by my Big Mama, I knew at the tender age of nine who God chose me to be. She was a trailblazer with an eloquent means of expressing herself. Though she was blind, she never allowed that to define her. And she used that skill to write letters on behalf of others. Listening to her dictate those letters to my cousin, Emily, inspired me to become a writer. However, she never made me feel that I had to follow in her footsteps.
As I watched my Big Mama devote herself to serving others, she influenced my life profoundly and helped me become who God created me to be. So, it was an honor to follow in her footsteps. However, so many parents are putting unnecessary pressure on their children to live up to their unrealistic expectations. It is great that we recognize their potential and encourage them to pursue their dreams. (Proverbs 22:6). But what if they do not want to be a pastor like their father, or an author like their grandmother? What if they want to be a teacher or someday own their own Bakery?
When you do not allow your child to choose their own path, it could cause them to experience stress and anxiety to please you. Many children want to attain recognition based on their own merits and not because of who their parents or grandparents are. Dear One, no child wants to hurt their parents’ feelings, so they make every effort to do their best performance to make you happy. While all alone, though they may achieve what you expect of them, they are miserable. However, over time, the pressure from such achievement becomes unbearable. (Colossians 3:21; 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12)
One day, they are left with no other recourse than to confront you and hope you understand that, though they appreciate what you have invested in their future, they would much rather pursue another path. Then the question becomes, will you allow them to blaze their own trail? Will you open your eyes and hearts to accept that you have raised them well enough for them to fulfill their dreams, even if it is different from yours?
Do you believe the faith they know you have in God is the same faith they have as their guiding light? Will you see the potential in them, in part because of your influence, resilience, and skills? However, they are now ready to be a trailblazer, only in a different way from you. Your child’s future, guided by God and inspired by you, holds a plan that will leave you in awe. It may be time to release control and let them blaze their own trail. (Proverbs 22:6; Jeremiah 29:11).
I pray the song, God Ain't Finished Yet by Emerson Day stirs your heart to know the work He started in you-He will complete it.
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TIME FOR REFLECTION: Most parents want the best for their children. How can we guide them in fulfilling their dreams without pressuring them to live up to our expectations? Let's talk about it in the comments below. Hit that heart and share this devotional. Thank you kindly.
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