Friday, April 10, 2009

His Presence!

Today has been an interesting day for me... interesting in a very good way!

First, my darling husband allowed me to sleep in this morning. He knew how tired I have been and keep the little ones at bay so mommy could sleep. When I did finally get up (around 8:00!!!), I fixed breakfast for the (little) girls. While cooking, our eldest, Brittney, came in and asked if she could talk to me.

This was huge!

Over the years, Brittney and I have gone from super close to almost strangers and back again. Some years I'm the greatest, wisest stepmom in the world, and in others, I am the Wicked Witch of the West and Greg and I are the worst parents EVER! Such is the life with a teenager who is now a young adult.

Anyway, she asked to speak with me today! I quickly put the cooking aside and we went into my bedroom to speak in private. She burst into tears and shared with me an issue she'd been dealing with. I couldn't believe it. She again trusted me to be the keeper of her hurts! Inwardly, I thanked God because clearly it was HE who had orchestrated the bridge across what often feels like a chasm between us. Of course, the little ones felt neglected and came into the room to get some mommy attention. I booted them out with the quickness because I was not going to pass up this opportunity to impart some of my pearls of wisdom (I hope!) into her life.

We had a wonderful talk, and I think the advice I gave her helped. My words cannot heal her heart's hurts, but I sure hope they applied some healing salve. In some parts of the conversation, she shared with me some things she told her friends. They were my words I had shared with her years ago! OMG, OMG, OMG! She retained some of the things I had said to her! God showed me in that instant that neither His promises nor words we speak into others' lives, whether good or bad, return void.

At one point, Britt and I started talking about the living room furniture (don't ask me why). I mentioned that her dad wanted some new sofas and she asked for us to give the current sofas to her. I was gripped with panic! I asked if she had found an apartment. After a couple of years of thinking she was old enough to move away from home, I realized that it was I who was not ready for her to leave. Why, she's still a baby. She couldn't possibly be thinking of leaving home. Heck no, she needed to finish school and get a job in her new field first. Oh, and she needs money saved, at least six month's worth, and...

Of course, she quickly assured me that she had not found an apartment. She simply wanted us to cover it with plastic and store it in the garage until that future time came. Bwahahahahaha! Still, I realized that I was not ready for her to leave home. She is still a baby after all. Um, yeah, she IS almost 22. And?

When I told my husband that she wants the sofas, he replied, "No, she can't have the sofas. She deserves more than the family's hand-me-downs. Whenever she decides to move away from home, surely we can afford to get her some new furniture of her own." I couldn't agree more. I can't wait to tell her she can't have the sofas. Knowing that I have a flair for the dramatic, I doubt I'll mention the new furniture until she is ready to move away and I take her to the furniture store with a budget and the freedom to pick what SHE wants.

More about today, though.

I eventually went back to cooking breakfast for the girls. Of course, instead of finishing the breakfast what I had started, Daddy gave them a little cereal while Britt and I were talking. *Insert sigh*

When I set their plates on the table, I walked back into the kitchen. Well, Tootie came in and said, "Mommy, you need to thank Jesus!" Of course, I quickly did. Lia came into the kitchen and repeated the request. After numerous times of them telling me to thank Jesus and me shouting "Thank you, Jesus", they finally sat back down and blessed their food. I was a little bit overwhelmed for a moment because I believe that Jesus, on this Good Friday, wanted to let me know that He is present and that He remembered me.

Lord, I thank you!

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