Saturday, July 24, 2010

Risk vs. Reward


Risks:
Broken Bones... or worse.

Rewards:
Precious time with siblings.
Exercise
Skills that will last a lifetime....
....and more!


This evening Warren, Mikey, Chelsea and I spent time with 
teen friends from Creekside Cottage. 
It brings Warren and I such joy
to hear their happy chatter. 
The teasing and the love
that abounds between them. 


It is not uncommon for our kids to
head out to a park together.
They like to skate, take pictures,
play frisbee
and just have good clean fun.
They took these pictures on one such day a
few months ago.



Are there risks to having
great relationships with our children?
Of course!
We open ourselves up to the
possibility of broken hearts
and potential grief.

But the rewards are so much greater.
Sometimes the struggles seem
almost more than we can bear.

There are times when I wish I had protected
my heart more.  
You know, like if there was just some way
that I could not care
quite so much!

Ever been there as a parent?

My suspicion is that most parents have.
Then the hard times might not hurt so much
and the real world stuff that threatens 
wouldn't seem so scary.
But, if we were somehow to protect ourselves
we would be cutting off those 
rewards as well.
The love and the relationships that 
are priceless.

I must not ever let myself give in to the 
temptation at self preservation at the 
sacrifice of the rewards of the relationship.

Here's hoping you are taking that risk
in your own relationships
as well......
Husbands, Wives, Brothers, Sisters....
Relationships all come with risk.
The rewards are amazing!

Becky K.

6 comments:

Terri Steffes said...

I remember being there!

A very thought provoking, heart felt message.

Simple Home said...

So true Becky. I'm thankful that our grown kids still want to spend so much of their free time with us. I hope they always do.
Blessings,
Marcia

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Amen!

This brings wonderful friendships with our children that last.

Vee said...

This is giving me a lot to ponder. But, right now, although I am certain the rewards are indeed amazing, the effort sounds exhausting. (Hope that you are taking it easy, Missy! Self-preservation isn't all bad.)

Kelly said...

The rewards are HUGE BLESSINGS!

Kelly said...

I bumped something that entered my comment before completing it, hence here is the second part. lol

Sure we risk being hurt in any relationship, but Jesus risked it all and was crucified and came back to love us just as much and to prepare a place for us in heaven. Isn't that awesome? And, so is it any wonder that we would love and sometimes be hurt because of that love?

But, in return, we will be so blessed by the relationships this love builds and the future relationships that grow stronger in love and bond because of this love.