I was thinking about last night’s post and almost took it down because it sounds kind of depressing. As I was thinking about it, I realized that it was missing something: hope.

It wasn’t totally absent from my mind but I was definitely more focused on the dangers lurking “out there.”

It became clear that the possibilities can be overwhelming, unless I’m looking at them from a hopeful position.

Making decisions based upon fear is never a good plan. I saw it in my mind like a bullseye, with hope in the center and all the other stuff in the outer rings.

That’s where we need to stand – right in the bullseye. Then we can look out at the possibilities with strength and make wise decisions.

We have to be wise and knowledgeable about the dangers but we also don’t ever have to assume our kids will get into any of them. I’ve never understood parents who just conceded their kids because “it’s inevitable.” It doesn’t have to be.

They might make a wrong turn, and if they do, we cross that bridge when we get there.

Unless or until that happens, I can believe for the best. I can joyfully live with our kids while teaching them how to navigate life.

After all real love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.