I warned you that I was not sure where this blog would lead us. I suspect it will wander in a variety of directions, anchored only by the fact that whatever I post is of interest to me at the time and I hope will be of interest to you!
Originally posted on Facebook in December, 2009. My daughter, Paula, was a semester away from graduating high school. My older son, Tim, was a high school freshman and my younger son, Jay, was a month away from his 5th birthday. Any previously published works will be provide in italics. (Italics help me keep my place!! )
Unexpected Occurrences
Okay, I typed this in once and lost it, so I will try again...
Tonight, while Paula and Tim were at CC09 (Christmas Celebration) practice, Jay and I watched the Star Wars DVD I got at the library earlier. According to Jay, it is "Star Worlds." He likes all the strange animals. I am sure he also likes the laser fighting parts, too. He certainly reenacts it often!
At one point, I paused the DVD because it was time for Jay to get ready for bed. Nothing like a little alien fighting to prepare a preschooler for an easy transition to sleep! If only I had added chocolate and sugar for a bed time snack....
Upon returning to the room I noticed the scene on the paused DVD was of a woods with mist in the distance. The trees and vegetation in the foreground were in focus while those in the background were blurry and seemed to be surrounded by mist. I could see a bit of a path in the foreground that disappeared into the mist.
I realized that life is a lot like this paused scene. In the day-to-day everything seems pretty clear. I have my to-do list for today and tomorrow. I know where I am supposed to be and what I hope to accomplish. I can see my path clearly at least for the next few hours. At least I think I know where the path is leading. As I look ahead, however, the future is not quite so clear. The trees and vegetation become shadows and the mist surrounds it, making me uncertain as to what to expect or even in which direction the path veers.
My daughter, Paula, is a high school senior this year. She is spending a lot of time checking out those trees in the distance. She wants a clear picture of where she is supposed to be going. She wants to know where her path leads and what she will be doing while moving along that path. The protective side of my mothering wants to reassure her and put my arms around her telling her that we will work this out together. Not so...for it is her path to discover. I cannot and should not try to convince her of the path I think she should take. I can provide ideas, even suggestions, but I must realize that the choices are hers.
So admitting that this makes me a bit uneasy should be no surprise to some of you. I am reassured, however, that Paula does not walk that path alone. I know that the One who loves her more and better than I ever could walks with her. Jesus will be with her each step of the way. She can be certain that her steps will be guided by Him, if she allows. That is a great fact for a mom to remember!
Tonight, while reflecting on this paused scene (Yes, I need a life!) Paula phoned me with news of the unexpected death of a friend in an auto accident. I wanted to swoop in and fold her and all her friends in my arms; take away their confusion, shock and pain. I had to accept that pain happens along the path. The shock continues to reverberate through the church youth group, one of their own no longer walks his path on this earth. While they grieve his passing they also grieve the loss of their innocence. Youth does not guarantee longevity here, a hard fact to learn.
Their paths tonight are filled with sorrow, confusion, and anger. I know that they do not walk alone. Jesus shares their sorrow. He grieves with them. He understands their confusion and anger. Though the path is covered in mist and, sometimes, tears fall to the dust, He never leaves us alone. He is our Comforter, our Companion, our Friend.
Tonight, while Paula and Tim were at CC09 (Christmas Celebration) practice, Jay and I watched the Star Wars DVD I got at the library earlier. According to Jay, it is "Star Worlds." He likes all the strange animals. I am sure he also likes the laser fighting parts, too. He certainly reenacts it often!
At one point, I paused the DVD because it was time for Jay to get ready for bed. Nothing like a little alien fighting to prepare a preschooler for an easy transition to sleep! If only I had added chocolate and sugar for a bed time snack....
Upon returning to the room I noticed the scene on the paused DVD was of a woods with mist in the distance. The trees and vegetation in the foreground were in focus while those in the background were blurry and seemed to be surrounded by mist. I could see a bit of a path in the foreground that disappeared into the mist.
I realized that life is a lot like this paused scene. In the day-to-day everything seems pretty clear. I have my to-do list for today and tomorrow. I know where I am supposed to be and what I hope to accomplish. I can see my path clearly at least for the next few hours. At least I think I know where the path is leading. As I look ahead, however, the future is not quite so clear. The trees and vegetation become shadows and the mist surrounds it, making me uncertain as to what to expect or even in which direction the path veers.
My daughter, Paula, is a high school senior this year. She is spending a lot of time checking out those trees in the distance. She wants a clear picture of where she is supposed to be going. She wants to know where her path leads and what she will be doing while moving along that path. The protective side of my mothering wants to reassure her and put my arms around her telling her that we will work this out together. Not so...for it is her path to discover. I cannot and should not try to convince her of the path I think she should take. I can provide ideas, even suggestions, but I must realize that the choices are hers.
So admitting that this makes me a bit uneasy should be no surprise to some of you. I am reassured, however, that Paula does not walk that path alone. I know that the One who loves her more and better than I ever could walks with her. Jesus will be with her each step of the way. She can be certain that her steps will be guided by Him, if she allows. That is a great fact for a mom to remember!
Tonight, while reflecting on this paused scene (Yes, I need a life!) Paula phoned me with news of the unexpected death of a friend in an auto accident. I wanted to swoop in and fold her and all her friends in my arms; take away their confusion, shock and pain. I had to accept that pain happens along the path. The shock continues to reverberate through the church youth group, one of their own no longer walks his path on this earth. While they grieve his passing they also grieve the loss of their innocence. Youth does not guarantee longevity here, a hard fact to learn.
Their paths tonight are filled with sorrow, confusion, and anger. I know that they do not walk alone. Jesus shares their sorrow. He grieves with them. He understands their confusion and anger. Though the path is covered in mist and, sometimes, tears fall to the dust, He never leaves us alone. He is our Comforter, our Companion, our Friend.
I hope these blog posts provide you with encouragement, something to ponder, a laugh or two, or a moment of entertainment. Rest well, my friends!
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