The Road To Regret Is Paved With Good Intentions

Once upon a time there was a young woman who married the boy voted, "Most Likely to Succeed," and became the devoted mother of 4 children: 2 boys and 2 girls.

As the children grew, their dreams began to bloom and the mother's ambitions took root. She was determined to afford her children every advantage toward a successful life, and despite her Christian upbringing, had come to believe that a successful life was one marked by accomplishments, accolades, trophies, popularity and parental pride.

So she played the game that way.

When her children came of age, she signed them up for soccer leagues and baseball teams; she shuttled them to every game and scrimmage.

She found each child a skilled instructor in the instrument of their choice and waited for them through weekly lessons.

Mother went the homeschool route and attended every meeting and conference that came within a 100-mile radius of her home.

In the summertime, she arose early each morning to ensure her children's place on the swim team and happily cheered them on to the winner's platform.

She got them to their co-op classes.

She attended Wednesday night prayer meeting for the bigger purpose of getting her children into the local Baptist church's Awanas class.

She drove them to playdates.

She drove them to this place.

And to that place.

She drove them here, there and everywhere.

And when they were grown and gone, she reflected back on a life well spent teaching her children to...teaching them...

She struggled to recollect just what she had -- herself -- found time to teach her dear children.

Had her daughters learned how to plan a menu? Or cook a meal? Had she taught them to work with their hands in a skillful way: to crochet, to knit or to sew? Had she shown them how to organize and clear out a room full of clutter? Or to care for a young one? Had she demonstrated and explained how to be an effective family historian?

Had she taught her girls and boys alike -- about Jesus, their Saviour? Had she taught them what it means to call Him, "Lord?" Had she helped them to know how to love others as He loved them? Had she been a faithful librarian -- stocking the shelves of their memory with the rich reference of God's Word?

What had she taught them?

When she honestly considered her life of good intentions, she realized she had taught her children one thing above all others;

She had taught her children...

...to drive.