Parenting: Rising to the Challenge

Rev. Deb Koster

December 6, 2012

Gazing at the lobby of the Rookery building in Chicago, I marveled at the talents seen in the designer Frank Lloyd Wright.  Wright had an eye for reimagining traditional structures and creating artistically stunning buildings that used nontraditional support structures.

The Light Court, as the lobby of the Rookery is called, is beautiful in its design. The second floor stairway hangs in the air supported from above rather than from below. The stairs jut out into the impressive lobby as a delicate piece of artwork that seems more beautiful than practical. As I gaze across at the second floor stairs I stop and wonder if I have the nerve to climb them. Heights can make me a little anxious and these were not just ordinary stairs. I want to be brave and explore this beautiful place, but part of me is nervous.

I try to fool myself that I will not be hanging in the air by focusing on the solid surface of the steps. This attempt does not work, as the fronts of the steps are not solid, but more of a grid iron pattern that allow a full impressive view of the lobby below you as you ascend.  It is stunning and terrifying!

Those two words could be used to describe life following Christ: Stunning and terrifying.

There are so many experiences which seem overwhelming like stepping into unknown territory, where the footing does not appear as solid as we would like. Marriage, parenting, new jobs, and new ministry opportunities can all seem overwhelming at times. Yet these opportunities also carry with them exhilarating and stunning views: these are opportunities to be used by God and to see him at work. If we are brave enough to look, we will catch glimpses of God’s kingdom being established in our presence.

I think of the day that my first child was placed in my arms. How strange it was to have people hand me this child as if I any idea how to calm her. I was overwhelmed with the miracle of this little child in my arms and with the responsibilities that accompanied her. It begins with diapers and skinned knees, but how quickly it progresses into driving, dating, and discerning God’s path. This stairway is indeed steep and precarious at times.

In such unknown territory, we cannot support ourselves. We rely completely on the care of our heavenly Father. Trusting the support from our Father above is not always easy.  Our footing may seem uncertain at times. It does not seem as secure as the foundation that we would have built for ourselves, and yet it is actually so much more trustworthy.

As we trust God to support us through life’s adventures, make sure to check out the stunning view.

Be brave, he has you!

About the author — Rev. Deb Koster

Deb Koster is a producer, writer, and speaker for Family Fire. She is also an Innkeeper at The Parsonage Inn in Grand Rapids, MI where she leads marriage retreat on weekends. After over 20 years as a Registered Nurse, she completed a Master of Divinity degree and was ordained as a pastor in the Christian Reformed Church. Deb and her husband Steven enjoy doing ministry together and they are the parents of three awesome young adults.

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