Protection

Dear Kids,

I am helping a friend put together a book of poems from a man who went through horrible abuse. Reading through these is causing me to cry! I can't believe what some people have been through in this world, and continue to go through.

I want you to know that sometimes when I set really hard boundaries, it is because of this. Because I will protect you anyway I can from experiencing abuse. The world is hard and it is going to get harder. You must be prepared to stand up for yourself and to know where the dangers are. I am going to protect you as much as I can, but remember you have to listen to my motivations for doing so. Sometimes my boundaries are harder than others because I know that can lead to safety.

Forgive me for being irritated with these things. You will see in about 20-30 years when you have kids of your own why I do set these boundaries. My parents set similar boundaries for me and my siblings... and guess what???? NONE of us ever were abused. We were taught and warned and had firm boundaries and limits. They did something right. We weren't abused. We were protected.

I will protect you as much as I can, but then it is your choice to listen after that. I love you. I love you so much it hurts sometimes. Remember... This life is yours, but I will KNOW when I stand before God at the judgement seat that I can look Him in the eye and tell Him that I did everything I knew how to do in order to mentor you as He would want me to.

Love,

Your Mom