“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” Isaiah 49: 15
Monday evening was rushed, many things happening all at once. Two of my girls were arguing and needed disciplined, my workload for the day was nowhere near completion , and I had just received some concerning extended family news.
I tried to address each issue graciously, reminding myself not a one of these things were the end of the world. My daughters, who were arguing, disagreed with me; that yes, their present situation was nearly the end of the world. While trying to hang on to my patience, address their issues, and pray for a teachable moment, the phone rang.
Glancing at the caller ID, I put everyone else on hold as I anticipated talking to my husband.
His words, when repeated by me to my daughters, would be that teachable moment I had requested from God.
As he rushed off the phone, I called a family conference. With the guilty girls exchanging oh-not-so-lovely looks, I told them Daddy’s news: He would not come home tonight as planned.
Before he could board his plane, it had arrived at the airport and crashed on the runway.
The girls immediately reached to hold hands and form a circle, prior offenses forgotten. It was time to thank God for keeping Daddy safe, and to pray for everyone involved in the accident.
As I asked to begin the prayer, one requested we do ‘popcorn’ prayer, where each prays in turn. We did.
After we then outlined the changes to the family schedule for the next twenty-four hours, I told the girls I had prayed for God to show us what’s truly important.
The two guilty girls exchanged glances, extended grace, and offered apologies.
God came through in an unexpected way, a larger than life way, an ‘I-would-rather-you-hadn’t-done-that” way.
Yet, as I assured my girls, God always has each of us right in the palm of His hand.
Reflections:
1) What’s the scenario of the last time I got too caught up in the happenings around me and took my focus off what truly matters? Did I even notice what I did, before now?
2) How can I keep myself better grounded? (Bible verses, God’s promises placed in strategic spots, an intentionally lighted schedule, and/or more time in prayer and in reading God’s word.) Implement.
Thank you for reading! Please return by Monday, July 29 for the next post.