I Want To Make it Better--But I Can't

Being a mother is so wonderful, in so many ways.  Sometimes I am still amazed that God would trust me with 5 lives to shape and direct.  He absolutely gives me the grace to parent, but man, oh man!  There are times when my kids go through painful things, and all I want to do is fix it!  I mean, let's face it. It can be difficult to let go of being "The Fixer".  Take my son Michael for instance.  He will be 16 next month.  He'll be a junior in high school in August.  I keep thinking about how close he is to adulthood, and I kind of panic when I see a character flaw in him. I want him to go out into the world as a responsible, respectful, productive member of society.  And that window of opportunity is closing for us, his parents, to truly direct his behavior.  We've kind of got to get it in while we still can, right?  But as my children have crossed over into young adulthood, I am made keenly aware of the fact that the world can be cruel, and that, like me, my babies.... uh... I mean... teens, have to face disappointment and pain sometimes.  I'm their mom.  I want to make it better!  I want to fight the battle-or at least help in the battle.  But, that is not always my position anymore.  This is the time that all the years of instruction and late night talks, and prayer, most of all, are drawn on, to guide them.  It hurts me to see my young adults hurt, but I must not step in to fix everything, or they may not know they have what it takes inside to come out of that situation victoriously.