Ok. Wake up call for me. Obviously I have been a "little" too controlling with my kids (shocking!).
The other day I was telling my daughter Clarice about a birthday party she was invited to. I explained to her that it would be at a place where she will be painting a piece of pottery or such. I could see the wheels turning in her head as she was processing what this meant for her. Then she says to me, "Mommy, you won't be there, right? So I can paint it however I want to, right?"
Oh man. What have I done to this child? She would rather do a project without me so that I don't tell her how to paint it! I could try to blame it on my lifelong love of art...that I just want her to make nice stuff....but that doesn't really cut it.
I am just too bossy!!
Ok, no newsflash. I have always been controlling. I have matured though, I think, over the years and have realized the need to step back and NOT try to be in charge of everything. I also understand that me being in control is really a false perception. I can make myself think I am in charge of my own life (and the lives of many other people I know) but I know in my heart that not only IS God in control...but I WANT Him to be! My track record of messing things up speaks for itself. I would much rather do life God's way. Apparently I have not mastered this surrender in my life yet. ;)
So I guess this will be the "Next" thing for me to look at. I will be trying to gain some perspective in my own life.... and allow others, especially my children, a little more space to learn for themselves.
