We made the trip to Memphis, and after an hour’s delay on their end, Son2 was in the car and we were heading home. When Son2 got there, his father literally didn’t speak, nor acknowledge greetings, nor answer questions….I simply didn’t exist. So sad. I just hate it for him….Meetings are usually quite pleasant, but after this summer, not. You have to realize when you don’t have custody of your children it is a very REAL reality that when the children leave after summer visitation you as a parent do not see your parents for at least a week, and in many cases for weeks. Divorce IS hard on the non custodian parent even if phone access, visitation, and participation in the children’s life is encouraged…if you’re not with them daily, you’re not with them. My heart breaks for their natural father, for I know he knows his own choices have lead to this….and that must be a very very hard thing.
I had literally read the Bible and prayed the whole way there, not so much concerned with the meeting, but concerned with this week. Son2 was tired when he got in the car and after visiting briefly, explaining they went fishing at 3 a.m., he went to sleep for a long time.
Arriving home, I was so thankful for a slow cooked roast from the oven. The house smelled like home with the roasted vegetables and roast beast. We unloaded and everyone fixed a plate and unwound for a while. It was nearly 9 when we arrived home so we were all ready to go to bed. Son2 was pleased with the room switch, it gave the boys more room to share their room and I wish I had understood that earlier.
This morning I have been working on a Joe McGee study. He , Beth Moore, and every other teaching this week have already all hung me on praying the Scriptures’ promises. I have had to relearn some comprehensions about what God expects of us. One of the words I kept stumbling over is that God expects ALL his commandments to be kept for his covenants to be fulfilled…..I know I fail often and ask forgiveness often, minutely, hourly some days…but I could not get past the legalism of ALL. Enter Deuteronomy 30 where God promises us when we fall, if we ask forgiveness He will restore us larger and more deeply than before our fall. He promises to draw us nearer Him. Psalm 91 makes it abundantly clear ALL the ways God will protect and reward you….even when needing rescueing.
Joe McGee challenges us to pray only in the promises….that is…find a promise of God in the Bible that lines up with your situation, don’t mense words, cling to the promise and believe in faith that God indeed has fulfilled His promise to you. Yesterday was an example of that for me. I prayed the promises all the way to Memphis for a safe trip, for a child who’s heart would be desiring home , for angels to protect us in travel,for wisdom on how to handle Son2’s words in the car, and on the way home it was as though God wanted me to remember He kept his promises, as we travelled the hills of Mississippi, a huge rainbow covered the top of the hill when we had just picked up Son2. Once again God used a rainbow to fulfill and remind me of His promises kept.
Meanwhile the boy grew to 6’3″ this summer and has more peach fuzz than the peaches in my kitchen…who gave him permission to get bigger than me? The cooking today has already been requested…we asked what he missed the most this summer….and he said “the open kitchen where I can grill chicken and make good food or Mom does it for me” This boy has talent as the chef in the house, he not only cooks it, but very often he’s caught or hunted what we cook….if only we could get him interested in cleaning up his messes too!
Mt Washmore is indeed open for tours today, its Monday and that means there’s at least 5 loads today. The day has much promise, and many chores, and most of all three children back in residence….and that is good!
God Bless You!
Sweetie
