I like to manage my time. I make plans, I write up “to do” lists, I have goals I set for myself.
When I became a father, though, I learned very quickly that I had very little control at all. You make dinner plans and the babysitter has to back out at the last minute. You put aside a few dollars for a family trip to see the Grand Canyon or for an anniversary trip to the Caribbean and the next thing you know the refrigerator “goes on the fritz” and you need to bolster the emergency fund.
Image by Pexels.
Oh, you try to manage it, you try to guide where you can, but you learn that it’s a shell game and you’re just along the for the ride. I figured out early as a dad that I had no real control. I write today on The Heart of the Matter about a trip to the Emergency Room and how I worried about the health of my daughter and how little control I had over what happened next.
You pray. You hand the issue over to God, that’s about it. Fortunately, she came out fine, jumping and running down the hospital halls, but it left me speechless, fighting desperately for the right words of thanks.
Check out my story, The kindness of strangers, and let me know how you deal with that feeling of having no real control over life and letting folks who’ve been a help know that what they mean to you. Let me know what you think.
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on The Heart of the Matter
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Writing from the Heart with Brian 
I know all too well this feeling of gratitude towards the people who keep our children healthy. I lived through so much of it. (Commenting here, instead of there.)
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Yes, when we have children, I’m convinced that we come across certain angels who help us along the way. The trip pt the hospital was more than a decade ago, but definitely has stayed with me over the years. I doubt my daughter even remembers it now, but still very fresh in my mind. Ha, ha. Thanks for reading Dale.
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It will stay with you, forever, Brian. Your daughter? Not so much!!
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Ha, ha, you’re right Dale. I’ll ask my daughter about it sometime. I’m sure she’ll be like “what? What are you talking about dad.” Ha ha
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Haha! For sure! 🙂
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As someone who truly likes a sense of control about them it has often been difficult to realize just how little I can actually control in life. When you want to plan out every moment you face a struggle everyday. The small moments of gratitude seem essential to remaining somewhat sane and humble towards letting things go once in awhile 🙂
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I’m a control freak. I’m amazed that I am, because I’m reminded constantly how little control I actually have. I guess that’s why gratitude and saying thank you hit so strongly. I realize that I need others help. Thanks Deb, beautiful comment.
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Parenthood certainly changes life. All of a sudden it’s not about us anymore.
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Your statement should be framed on the wall! “Not about us.” Truer words havd never said. 🙂🙂🙂
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👍🏼
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Parenting is so humbling in that it does show you how little control we have about what happens to us. Having said that, we do have control on how we face these moments – such as they kind way you thanked the hospital staff.
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I love how you phrased that . . . it really is humbling! We don’t have control on that outcome, we have control over our responses, our reactions!!!! So well said Ab!
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I love the case you make for parenting making life more-or-less unplannable. Yep! 🙂 And “You pray. You hand the issue over to God, that’s about it. ” So good!! ❤ ❤ ❤
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Isn’t that the great thing and the horrible thing about parenting. Ha, ha. Oh, it’s not horrible, but you know what I mean, you gotta just have faith that everything will work out. 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Exactly!
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Thank goodness your daughter was fine. 😌 🌼
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Yes, it was a mixture of things. It was years ago when she was young. I doubt she even remembers the trip to the hospital. I never forgot it though. Ha ha.
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Parents never forget. 😔 Scars are reminders, whether the memory is there or not.
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Your honest reflection on the unpredictability of life as a parent resonates deeply. It’s a journey of constant adjustments and unexpected turns. Your experience in the Emergency Room captures the essence of surrendering control and relying on faith when faced with the unknown. The way you articulate the challenge of expressing gratitude to those who’ve been a support is relatable. Life’s uncertainties often remind us of our vulnerability and the importance of cherishing each moment. Looking forward to reading “The Kindness of Strangers” and sharing thoughts on navigating life’s twists and turns!
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Surrendering control . . . yes, that definitely describes parenthood. Ha, ha, oh it involves other things too, but it’s definitely a big part of it. Thanks for the reading, I’m glad the post resonated with you.
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