Have you ever had those times in your life when things have happened and you really do not understand why? You look, and you keep asking yourself - "Why has God allowed this to happen?" This has been an eye opening year for me, on many different levels. Although there are lots of little things that happen, there are a couple of doozies I simply cannot wrap my head around. We all have things happen in life, and after reflecting on them - we know we could have handled the situation differently (or at least this happens to me). You live your life to the best of your ability, trying to always do the right thing - you try to raise your kids with roots AND wings. So... what happens when the everything hits the fan? What happens when your kids disappoint you? Or when the ones you love let you down? What happens when you look at your kids, and you wonder, "where is my little angel I raised?' What happens when a child turns away from your family and as parents you are heartbroken? I think as we raise our children, we give it our best effort. We guide them and teach them how to make the best choices. We teach them they must take responsibility for their actions. Unfortunately, just because we teach these things - doesn't mean our children listen. It doesn't mean they will do exactly as they were taught. There is always a possibility, they will let the world lead them and they can turn away from their family.
What the children (whether they are 12 or 20), do not understand is that the decisions they make do not only affect them. They affect their family as a whole. This process began as making a decision not to talk to your family for a week. Unfortunately, weeks turn into months, and before you know it a whole year has gone by. The children also tend to forget as they are acting out, that all it would take is a simple, "I'm sorry and I love you" to begin the healing process and wipe the slate clean. As a parent, in these circumstances, I think it is important to remember the story of the prodigal son. Jesus told the parable, reminding us to never give up on anyone who goes a stray. What happens if your child comes back, do you tell them "I told you so", or do you open your arms wide and rejoice they are home? What do you do until this day comes? You pray for your child. You pray for their heart to be softened, and you pray for the strength of the loved ones at home who are waiting. I think as parents we all need to remember, our children bring us happiness and they also bring us grief, and in both of those things come tears.
When things happen, and I simply think I can't take anymore - I go to my all time favorite Bible verse. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it."
For me, this year - I will be praying a lot more for my sweet friend and her family who haven't heard from their child in almost a year, the holidays will definitely be different. I will be praying for the child to be brave enough to make the phone call, and make amends with parents. I will also be praying for my kids, as they don't understand why any of this has happened. As the holidays are approaching, I would urge everyone to tell everyone how much you love them, and hold your loved ones a little tighter. You never know, when the course of your life will be altered.
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