They walked to their car and the mother opened the back door for the boy to climb in. As he was getting situated, he fell to the floorboard of the car but quickly picked himself up and got back into his seat.
As I watched this entire situation unfold, I was hit with a "reality check" of my own parenting attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions. You see, what made the situation unique, is the boy was hobbling with one crutch under his right arm.
No, he didn't have a cast, injured ankle or broken leg...he didn't have a right leg at all! I was shocked to see such a young child missing a limb. But an even bigger shock came as the Lord used it to teach me some lessons as a parent.
Lesson 1:
Suddenly I became so thankful for my children—thankful for them just the way they are. I began to appreciate all of the attributes that each one of them posses.
Too many times it is easy to focus on the negatives and not the positives. When you compare your problems or difficulties to what others are going through, you suddenly realize how fortunate you are.
Lesson 2:
I thought for sure when the mother and son got to the car she would help him get in. No way! He wasn't going to let a minor setback in life stop or slow him down.
How many times do we let a small headache, lack of sleep, or a difficult situation ruin our day?
The next time you're having a "bad day," bend one leg behind you, wrap it several times with duct tape and leave it that way for 24 hours. Maybe that will help you keep things in perspective.
Lesson 3:
How many times do we rescue or try to assist our children and teenagers? I became a better parent as I watched this mother.
She didn't focus on the boy's obvious weakness. When he fell to the floorboard of the car, I almost jumped out and ran to help him because the mother gave him no attention.
Guess what? The boy with one leg climbed back into the seat. How would he ever learn to make it in this world with one leg if every time he stumbled his parents ran to pick him up?
Mom and dad, don't cripple your children for life by teaching them to be dependent on you! If you really love them, then you have to allow them to make mistakes and give them some room to fly.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Dean and Kim are the founding pastors of Rock Family Church. They have been married since 1983 and they have five adult children; Alesha and her husband, Aaron, Allyson, and Preston and his wife, Melannie. In addition, they have one grandson, Asher. Since 1981 Dean has served in the full-time ministry. Prior to starting RFC in 2004, he served as a Youth and Associate Pastor in three different churches. You will enjoy Dean's practical and illustrative teaching style as he makes the Bible come alive through both topical and verse-by-verse teachings that you can apply to everyday life. Along with his current pastoral duties, Dean is also an adjunct professor at Charis Bible College in Woodland Park.
Kim serves on our Executive Team as CFO, she oversees the Children's Team and the Women's Ministry. Her energetic and contagious attitude, in addition to her love for her church family is evident.
Be sure and introduce yourself, they can always be found in the lobby between services. They look forward to meeting you soon! 
