After 12:07, I went from a high moment to an equally measured low low
After releasing 3 posts, 2 with hard topics from the heart, one sweet – there were attacks that sought to bring me and mine down.
After the sweetness, the hug, the cocoon of home growing these boys
the world that doesn’t care escalated potential crisis after weeks of answered prayers, of faith walking, of prayers going out and returning – the world tried to change His plan, His answers, His hope blooming.
After all that bearing possibly too much – too much challenge revealed, maybe too much thankfulness for what He has done – the world bit hard – and I find myself today without words
but with peace, with people from surprising places encouraging
After the attack, working with 3 of my boys and my knight in shining armor with our little business after a day of working for somebody else – there was laughter, revealing of the dailies, more laughter, a sigh of relief that I had made it through the rat working its way through the belly of the snake
There are no more words – just a soaking, a letting Him wash over me, cooling my fevered mama brow, a drying out of the tears that fell into my heart, a slowing down of my heart beat, a sitting with my head against His shoulder, leaning into Him in spent rest where the healing from this unlooked for, unseen challenge hit.
If you’ve a minute – stop by, read what I wrote that I think maybe this attack came because of – not from any of you, not from anyone I know on this side of my computer – just the deceiver who doesn’t want the Father’s plan to advance for a life prayed for, a life well loved.
Life isn’t perfect here at Blue Cotton Memory – I cannot express how much I miss the pre-1os – when love was from my boys was abundantly shown, forgiveness freely given – and how humbled I have become but how big my faith has grown at seeing what God does – that God is not surprised that He doesn’t want me to lower my eyes in shame that my boys are not perfect – but raise my hands in praise that He is more than able to shepherd them to His gates than I am – that good boys become teens struggling – and that God – He really does answer those prayers. A note that there seems to be a problem in our culture, with teens wanting to run-away – teens from caring parents, Godly homes, tremendous support – want to run-away – why is that? what can we do?
Solution Revolution – Revealing much here – but so wanting other moms to not delay on challenges that require out-of-the-box challenges – “When “the same things” don’t work, a vigilant parent creates alternative strategies. Yet, what do you do when none of the alternative strategies don’t work”
Shifting Gears – just a plain sweet poem about the cycle of love in a truck – living out hard messages needs sweet moments like this.
I usually don’t post so much in a week – but this was the timing. After I pushed the publish button, the devil tried to give me a big smack down – but God was there – standing between me and that smack down, pulling me and my family into his protective embrace.
Well said. The deceiver creeps in on our highs as well as our lows, but I’m glad you have someone bigger to catch you when he does. I just started doing these exercises. Caught myself correcting tonight’s some. It will be a hard habit to break, but I’m not sure it will really “show” in my writing. lol
Thank you for being one who has shared so that I can learn from you.
God bless.
Marvelous writing, bless you.
love your transparency and i have to believe that God is going to use your faithfulness and testimony to bless and encourage others.
praying for you and yours this morning!
Steph
Oh, I just love your words about resting in his arms after a long difficult day, head on his shoulder. Isn’t that the most cosy place to be!
Blessings
Mia
Love how God always sees us through the after. Washing us, guiding us, healing us, and protecting us. Beautiful!
Love your post here….He is the great healer after it all and we can trust Him. Beautiful.
Oh, Mary Leigh, I am so glad that God is giving you peace and a sense of His loving care for you …I pray today that He would continue give you His peace and strength…and laughter…such a gift…hugs to you 🙂
Mary Leigh ~ I have just read your last three posts…WOW! Your family has had a lot of things to go through and learn. The great part is how the LORD has been right there with you through it all. I know HE will continue to be there as you lean on and trust in HIM. HE is so good and loves so much. Try as he might, satan will not win. GOD is in control! AMEN! Keep hanging tough!
Blessings to you and your family.
Chelle
I love this post! What a wonderful God we follow!
Oh I am so sorry you had those attacks. Never fun. 😦 But it sounds like you are continuing to grow and work through them with the Lord’s help. I love that there is always an “after”. In His protective embrace – yes!
I love your post!
“When “the same things” don’t work, a vigilant parent creates alternative strategies. Yet, what do you do when none of the alternative strategies don’t work?”
I am caught in the middle of parenting a son with a diagnosis that makes consequences difficult. I want to give him the usual consequences for inappropriate actions. Yet, these consequences don’t always work because of the diagnosis.
What do I do? Pray, hope, and don’t worry. ~Padre Pio
I didn’t know anything about alternative strategies until I was deep into needing them. I think there’s a process to “discovering” these strategies. There’s a learning curve. Initially, I thought it would just works its way out with patience – but it was when I hit a bottom – where I realized each issue needed solutions that weren’t in my tool box. Psalm 139 was my go-to- God put it in them. God is not surprised. God knows what is needed – and I would take my desperate need to Him – that is when out-of-the-box alternative strategies showed up. It’s not scientific. It doesn’t sound book smart. Yet, putting it in God’s hands, turning around, looking at Him and realizing, “You know, don’t you” – made all the difference.
I really appreciate your response. My beautiful son is presenting new challenges each day. My life is like that game at the fair called “whack-a-mole.” Just as one mole gets punched down, another comes up!
I had a very difficult weekend. This morning in prayer, I simply said: “God, you need to handle him today. I am spent and you know what he needs.” Again and again I give him back to God.