Wisdom from the Young

My little girl is growing up.  Seven isn’t that big a number, but then again it is.  She’s still a little girl, but she’s getting glimpses into the adult world she will (all too soon) inhabit.  I love watching her grow and learn.  And yet…  My heart can’t help but worry.  Am I teaching her all she will need to know?  Am I giving her all she will need to be strong?  Am I teaching her to live with dignity, joy, perseverance, compassion and a whole list of other qualities.  Am I praying enough for the young man who will grow up to be her husband?

The answer is probably, no.  I guess it’s impossible to do enough.  It’s impossible to prepare them for every possibility.  It’s impossible to protect them from every harm that could come their way.  But am I doing enough?  Will she look back years from now and find answers to her problems from the lessons I’m struggling to teach her today?

We had a long, sweet talk last night.  One of those talks I hope I’ll remember forever.  She’s so precious and smart.  Sometimes, she hits on some great wisdom that is simple but important.  Last night, she reminded me that when she was first born, she couldn’t count to one.  When she was one, she couldn’t count to ten.  She reminded me that she had learned a bit at a time.  We talked about how much there is to learn.  We talked about her future and the days when she’ll consider herself grown up.  We talked a little bit about her future husband.  She said she’d have to date him for a while to see if he was the right guy.  I asked her what dating was.  She told me that that was something she didn’t really know about, but that was okay because she didn’t have to know it all right now. 

I’m so glad she doesn’t have to know it all right now.  I’m glad that we can walk down this road together and learn a little bit at a time.  I’m so glad we can talk and share.  Maybe I don’t have to know it all right now, either.  Maybe it’s okay for me to learn as I go too.  It’s amazing what love can do.  It’s amazing.