Guiding Her Steps

By:  Betty Predmore

It’s funny how conversation can remind you of scripture that is stored in your heart. I was walking with my oldest daughter the other day. We were at a college softball game, in a stadium we had never been in before, basically in unchartered territory. Looking for the restrooms, we had to go down a flight of stairs to the lower level. My daughter was close in my heels, following me. She said to me, “ Mom, just go and wherever you go, I will follow.” Of course, that reminded me of Ruth 1:16….But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.”

I knew what my daughter was saying to me by making that statement. About two years ago, she was diagnosed with Grave’s disease. She has suffered many of the side effects, including decreased vision. Her remark to me was a literal one. She really needed to follow in my footsteps because she was have trouble navigating her way through the stadium. She was depending on me to guide her safely to the restroom and back, and help her not to stumble. Isn’t that what we do as mothers? We guide and protect our children. When they take those first shaky steps, we are there to catch them if they fall. When they start to run, we are there to grab them before they run into the street. When they hop on the bicycles, we are holding onto the back of that seat until we are certain they can ride alone. There is so much physical guidance that we give our children.

But I also ponder on the spiritual guidance. Are they following us in their walk with Christ? That scripture in the book of Ruth goes on to say “”Whom you serve I will serve.” Are you serving Christ? Are your children following you in that mission? Do they have love for their Savior, compassionate hearts for those in need, and an excitement for the gospel? Are they being guided by the Holy Spirit? Do they see you allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your life? He is so gracious to guide our steps, bring us through the struggles, and lead us to our blessings. What a wonderful Savior we have! What a marvelous example to follow!

We want to be there to meet the physical needs of our children. We want to be there to guide them when they are lost and protect them from harm. But we also need to be there for their souls, protecting their hearts from the enemy. We need to urgently plea for them to follow…to follow us as we follow Christ. Where we go, they should go, and Whom we serve they should serve. I pray that my sweet daughter will not only follow my lead as I guide her down a flight of stairs, but will also follow my lead as she walks through life. I pray she reaches out and takes my hand when she is uncertain of her physical steps, and that she reaches out and takes the hand of Christ when she is uncertain of her life’s direction. I pray that my words and actions always direct her to the Cross.

Lord, help us to lead as You would lead. And give our children the wisdom to follow not only us, but more importantly, You.