The Heart of a Mother

We all know that when our children hurt, we hurt. When our children are sick, we are sick. And when our children yearn to belong, we yearn for them to belong even more. Contrary to how it may seem, I'm not in some deep depression and unable to get out. I have just had some time do some reflecting...maybe I little too much reflecting. Our oldest, as most of you know, has developmental delays and is more like a 4 year old (at best). I recently signed her up for VBS at church. When I was trying to figure out how she would respond to the different atmospheres and class sizes, I began to get very emotional. She is young now and copes well with most environments but can be easily overwhelmed. She doesn't realize what a cruel and harsh world she will one day face. The thought of her being mocked or shunned is just too much for me to handle. I want to put her in a bubble and protect her. I want to MAKE every child be kind to her. I know that children can be cruel, even to the most normal of children. There is just something in me that wants to protect her more. Maybe it's because I don't feel like she can protect herself. Or maybe it's because I know that she is naive to the cruelness that surrounds her. I want her to be able to stay with the children who are still young enough to be unaware that she is different. That harsh reality here is that she is quickly outgrowing that age (physically). This means that I will soon have to let her be exposed. I will not be able to keep her in that bubble that has so lovingly protected her all these years. I draw comfort in knowing that even though she will face troubling times, she is protected by something far greater than a bubble. She is wrapped in the loving, protecting arms of my Saviour. What more could a mom ask for?