The pace of the children. A phrase, quoted from Genesis 33:14, I have learned to repeat on a daily basis. Jacob was just reunited with his brother in a beautiful reunion. (If you aren’t familiar with this story, let me encourage you to read through Genesis!) Esau suggests that they walk together to Seir as an opportunity to catch up. Being aware of “the children God has graciously entrusted me” (Gen 33:5), Jacob politely declines the offer. Can you imagine passing up the opportunity to catch up with a brother you haven’t spoken to in years? In humility, he doesn’t want to slow his brother down, but in care he doesn’t want to rush his family nor his animals. At the pace of the children.
As I was studying through Genesis {and learning so much about the character of God}, I read through Matthew Henry’s commentary. Henry explains
“prudence and tenderness of Jacob ought to be imitated by those that have the care and charge of young people in the things of God. They must not be over-driven, at first, by heavy tasks in religious services, but led, as they can bear, having their work made as easy to them as possible. Christ, the good Shepard does so, Isaiah 40:11.” *
Wow. We have the same end goal, to reach our destination, but it is so easy to kill ourselves before we get there. Imagine if Jacob had just made his family and his animals speed up to the pace of Esau. How many of them would have made it? Maybe some, maybe all, but definitely not without injury or consequence. And what if he had asked Esau and his men to slow down to the pace of the children? That is unfair to Esau and the 400 men with him.
Whew. What does that mean for me as a mother? I can damage, injure, or even kill my children if I am not careful. At the pace of the children. He did not let the children plan the route, he just led them and set the pace at a comfortable level while he led them. He didn’t let outside factors (like reuniting with his brother after X years) affect his pace. He didn’t expect his brother to change pace to match his. What a reminder. Leading my children at the pace they can bear and leaving everyone else to do the same.
Now let’s go back to verse 5 here. This is what gives him this perspective to care for his children so well. “The Children which God hath graciously given thy servant.” He sees these children as God’s gift to him. Children are a heritage of the Lord (Ps 128:3) and Jacob was fully aware of that. He also sees that they are Choice gifts. Precious gifts that were specifically selected to be in Jacobs care and he takes that responsibility seriously. Shouldn’t we, as mothers, do the same? Instead of seeing them as burdens, but viewing them as our most prized possessions. Taking tender care of their souls and leading them toward Christ in everything that we do.
This motto is usually a reminder to slow down, but there have been times when it has shown me that I need to speed up. I have been guilty of thinking, “oh they aren’t ready to memorize scripture yet, they’re only toddlers.” But guess what? They can memorize lyrics to a song, and they were ready. They taught me to speed up. At the pace of the children.
It only seemed fitting to use this as the title of my blog.
Welcome!
*https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/mhc/Gen/Gen_033.cfm?a=33014 In case you want to read more from Matthew Henry.