The Climbing Tree

In Ocean Grove NJ, there is a Climbing Tree in the park. Recently one of my friends told me that his daughter was showing him how high she could climb. I guess that when I heard that story, I combined it with my recent experience of walking my own daughter down the isle on her wedding day. It made me think about how we as parents want our children to grow, so I thought of this prayer:

The Climbing Tree

Lord, help our children to grow.
We know our work is to let them go.
Just like they climb high in the Climbing Tree,
Help us to encourage them to be on their own and to set them free.
We want them to climb, higher, higher in their lives;
So that they will be even closer to you.
And, as they move farther from us and hopefully nearer to you
We ask you to keep them safe as they grow,
Just as we stand ready to help at the base of the tree below.
Help them to know that in their lives,
You're also right there beside them too, to help them as they go.
Lord, we thank you that as they learn what you want them to be;
We can still see them, in your arms, holding them up, just like the tree.