Real Life

I was thinking about Facebook and how we can present ourselves almost falsely if we so choose.  How our life can look bigger, more perfect, etc.  I strive not to do this, but the thing is, it might appear that way because we don't normally post all the crap going on.  In an effort not to perpetuate negativity, we often leave out the meat of life.

I know of so many heart-breaking circumstances happening around me, my heart weeps continually.  One friend is suffering through no fault of her own, and suffering mightily.  She and her husband offered Dave & I a place to go, a safe haven from the crushing weight of extended unemployment.  They are in our hearts forever, and now as I said, they are suffering greatly.  Another friend suddenly lost her husband, another friend is enduring a very, very, very long time of recuperating from injury and all that is incurred with it.  Marriages where love is gone or at the least, strained.  Children in prison, my own included, children sick, people dying.

So I do hope that though I choose to try to usually post positive things, it is not because I have no sorrow happening in my life, or that I have turned a blind eye.  These things are carried within my heart, and ever lifted up to the Father for Him to intervene and aid.  But i've lived long enough to know that in His wisdom, He will do what will bring us closer to Him, not necessarily, healing, eased discomfort, etc., though He may do those things as well.  And really, when closest to Him, that is the only place we really want to be.  "You will show me the path of life: in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures forevermore." ~ Psalm 16:11 

Daughters of the King

For some time now, when I have heard this particular phrase, I bristle inside.  Knowing it was actually Biblical, I didn't know why it bugged me so much.  I have figured it out. 

The phrase is Daughter of the King.  Every time i've heard it, it is a claim to special treatment, worthy of royalty, that one is special, a little higher gal than the rest of the others.

I understand that when some people use this phrase, they are simply reminding a Christian woman of how the Lord loves her and that she belongs to Him. 

But so many more times, the implication is that because you are a Daughter of the King, you are more important than other women and girls.  That somehow you should be exempt from heartache, from people hurting you, from hardship. 

All women are daughters of the King.  It all started in Eden and we were all created in His image.  The King is all women's Father.  I have to say that I dislike all elitist thinking, including this one.

To remind a young woman that she is a daughter of the King so that she behaves differently isn't necessarily a bad thing, in that sometimes we need to be reminded to Whom we belong, and return to our first love.  But to infer that because you are a daughter of the King, you shouldn't allow people to treat you badly, or that you deserve the best in life, is wrong.  What about the women who haven't come to the Lord yet?  Don't they deserve to be treated right as well?  Don't they need to be loved and valued just as they are?  Every woman has potential for beauty.  And in Christ, we are all lovely.  But even as a daughter of the King, I am to remain humble and find my identity in Him alone.  I will not need to be reminded Who my Father is if I abide in Him.

Just sayin'.  Mini-rant done.  ;)

Scar Tissue

I heard recently of someone who thought her cancer had returned, but it was only scar tissue and could be taken care of quickly and easily.  I, of course, was so relieved for her, but it got me to thinking.  I have events in my life, as do most, that have left scars.  Bad ones.  A divorce that I didn't want and thought would do me in.....but God.  A life of poverty and singleness, obviously didn't want and struggled through, but survived, again.....but God.  My prodigal, part of my own being, unimaginable nightmares with him...but God, and only recently.  Right now I am struggling with something and am waiting for the "but God." 

Thing is when I look within, almost all I see is scar tissue.  While the scars have healed through the grace and mercy of Christ, I just know that the spots that aren't scarred are super-tender, because of the insensitivity that surrounds them due to the past.  Christ came and healed, but scar tissue...hmmm....perhaps I've not accepted total healing.  I know God doesn't heal half way.  I fear upon examination, they will break open again and this time...this time...I won't survive. 

I seem to vacillate between caring too much and caring too little.  The latter can be scary at times.  I find that if a situation carries too much emotional baggage with it, I simply check out rather than deal.  There's not much, or I should say many, that I would really fight for, it's not in me anymore.  It died a painful death through the years.  But I hear His calling, gently, calling me into examination, Him beside me.  I don't want to, I really don't, but I will follow because I also learned obedience is better than sacrifice.  I also learned that having a tender heart, a Christ-like heart, does not mean that you do what anyone wants you to, to prove your love for them. 

This journey will be interesting, painful, but hopefully at its end, His will in me will be accomplished.  This will take some time, I'm not all that sharp, He will have to be very clear with me. 

The things that brought this to the surface were themselves painful, and i'd really rather just sweep them under the rug and pretend all is well.   I mean, c'mon, how long can I live.  ;)  He's not letting me off.  So tomorrow, I will delve into this and see where He leads.  One thing I know, He is a loving God and wants my good.  Romans 8:28

Lessons from Eagles

It comes on the heels of a restless night's sleep.  As is my routine, I come on here to check email and Facebook.  I have left the tab open with the live cam of the eagles on the nest.  I check in to find one right there, as always, he/she on the nest.  Research tells me it is the female on the nest the majority of the time.  Lord, You put that mother's heart in your creatures.  It remains in mine big-time.

My daughter, Molly, doing fine, is happy with her own home and wonderful husband Will.  Not much mothering needed there....and yet, when something goes topsy-turvey, I get a call, she still needs me.  ♥

And then there's my boy, Josh, who's made a mess of his life.  Recently he turned to Christ for real and the difference is amazing.  A long way to go, but we rarely change overnight.  He has some stuff going on that is scaring him to death and hurting his heart, particularly that he has caused most of it himself.  This mother's heart is with him, over him.  My prayers are heartfelt and pleading.  There are other people involved and I surely don't want to hurt them in trying to get them to understand his position, but I must try.  I love all involved, so I am trying to tread lightly and not overstep. 

A while back I felt that my job was pretty much over, that I was at the end, not the beginning or even the middle, and the kids were grown and moving on.  But the Lord was quick to check that attitude.  While it's true, my kids have left the nest as they should, it is also true that while I admire eagles, I am not one.  I'm a woman who loves her children with big love.  This job will never be "done." 

I love them both, but one needs me more.  He has no one but me, no one.  He has burned every bridge, and very nearly burned ours, but God.  I will say he has maintained one friendship, and I am eternally grateful to Jason for this.  In fact Jason told me something once I will never forget, "you can't expect something from someone that they don't have to give."  Invaluable and true.  But my son still needs help in navigating life.  Now that he belongs to Christ, there is much comfort in that, but he has a lot of learning and growing to do, as do we all. 

I'm here for him as long as i'm here.  I have secret hopes and dreams for him and his kids, but only God knows the outcome.  I may not live to see it, I do hope so though.

And when he is released from prison, Lord willing, we will have our reunion and celebrate his return.  And when it gets hard, trying to find a job when you're a felon, a place to live for the same reason, etc., we will cling to the Lord and wait and see what He will do. 

Meantime, like those eagles, i'm not leaving my post, not abdicating the thrown, lol.  I'm a mom who didn't think she ever would be.  Through the gift of adoption, I have two really great kids that I thank God for.  I'm here for them as long as I breathe. 

He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD! ~ Psalm 113:9

Chrysalis

I know I need to write about this, but where to begin.  I know it ends at the cross. 

Anyone who knows me, knows about my son, Josh and the long, hard road that's been traversed.  So many prayers for so many years, at last answered in his salvation.

I have been able to see him twice this week, now he will move on about an hour away.  But I no longer look into the old Josh's hurt and angry eyes, instead they are peaceful, loving and hold some shame. 

He knows there is so much required of him once released from prison, but I keep assuring him that God knows and nothing is impossible with God.  He worries how much he'll get to be in his children's lives....that one I get, went through it myself with him and his sister.  I know that pain and it can get you if you're not careful.  I know God will help him and be with him when he can't be with them, just like He was for me.

I look across the gray metal table in stark surroundings, and this was a HUGE improvement from the last place, and see a life transformed, a hunger for the pure and righteousness of God.  But in my humanity and knowing my son, I do worry about the future, when I know it will get beyond him, fines, classes, a job, etc., will he forget about this in the struggle, or will he be wise and cling even tighter?  I am praying now about those times.

For now, I will simply bask in this moment of answered prayer and a redeemed life.  He really should write a book, my gosh, it could certainly be a cautionary tale.  He has gone so long his own way, we must rely on the Lord's grace, mercy and miracle-working power to turn things all the way round.  All that said, he has hope now, something he didn't have before.  He has Christ now and it shows. 

So I take every single issue, and there are so many, and pile them up at the foot of the cross and trust my Savior to move yet again....and again.  Love does that, in a mother's heart, and unfathomably in our God's.