Day 15- I forgot to list coffee???

This no coffee thing must be working.  When listing "joys" of my life, coffee didn't make the list. Or maybe I didn't write it because I have already talked about how much I enjoy coffee.  I really enjoy coffee, from its smell when its being ground to its bittery smooth taste to the warmth that emanates from the mug: i get a lot out of coffee.  Another joy I didn't list was my daughter, but I think children are things you ponder, like Mary did with Jesus. They are to be treasured in ones heart. Because as much as you enjoy them, there are just as many emotions of fear, anxiety, worry, and attachment going along side the joy. You have a child, but they aren't "yours"l they will be their own person very soon- so you have to prepare them for that and prepare yourself the parent for that. As a parent you can care for them, comfort them, feel them nurture them teach them, but in the end, they will make their own decisions and you will have to let them live their own life, not the life you want for them. Add the infinite amount of circumstances that could happen to them make it so hard to be a parent.  Prayer is key. And nnowing they are in God's hands one way or the other whatever accidents or windfalls or hard things happen to them gives some peace as well.

I wonder if Mary had that perspective as she raised Jesus. I wonder if she knew how to put distance to her fears and worries and not let them consume her. I wondered if she thought God would pull an Isaac and Abraham and ram would be substituted for Jesus so he wouldn't have to die on a cross. I wonder if we understand that sacrifice. Would I as a parent be willing to sacrifice my own child for others? How did God let his child be sacrificed for us? Talk about joy and sorrow. I never want to turn my back on my daughter, but that is what God did so Jesus could take the sin of everyone unto his shoulders. Could I love sacrificially like that? What does it look like to love like that? I can hope God will show me the proper response to his love as a Father and that I can love my daughter in a right way that will glorify God and honor her, too. Help us Lord Jesus love and sacrifice like you.