Today marks 4 months since we said see you later to Katie. I wanted to tell you of a crazy example of Gods abundant grace to my family. Last night we went to a memorial service for a precious older woman in our church who passed away after after being diagnosed with brain cancer 11 months ago. I hadnt planned on taking my two youngest daughters Anna and Margaret. In fact, I had actively planned on NOT taking them to the memorial service. As things so often work out they were invited to go home with friends after church and the best way to retrieve them was to meet up at the service. I knew it was going to be a short service so I thought they would be okay. First mistake. We walked in at 5:57pm with the service starting at 6p. For most of the planet this would have been fine but since we had to find seats for 7 Klinects (small crew representing) it was a bit late. We did find seats all together....sitting right behind the family of our sweet friend who passed away. I thought its okay...my kids are older. They know how to behave. Second mistake After we sang the first song, I Will Rise by Chris Tomlin I thought I might be in trouble. In fact, I knew I was in trouble. I desperately started praying that the Lord would get me through this service without making a sobbing mess of myself. I Will Rise was one of the songs we sang at Katies funeral but more importantly it was one of the songs we sang as we gathered around her bed right before her death. Now I was singing it at the memorial service for a sweet lady who brought my kids cookies as a special treat. I began to beg God. The Lord answers in weird ways. A second after I prayed fervently for the ability to not lose it my 9yr old daughter Margaret whispered loudly I dont think I knew her. Remember, were sitting behind the family. Right.Behind. I was mortified. I put my hand over her mouth and motioned for her to be quiet. This was not the calming, silencing maneuver I had counted on. She immediately started fidgeting and wiggling to let me know she didnt appreciate that I didnt care that she didnt remember our friend and she certainly didnt appreciate my hand over her mouth.. Even my dark brown eyed glare otherwise known as the orbs of despair didnt diminish her wiggling. As she kept wiggling she kept bumping into Anna. Another mistake. Anna is mentally impaired. What that means is that whatever she feels is felt purely, no holds barred, no inhibitions from acting out on that emotion. When Anna is happy all the world is a joy. When Anna is mad everyone better watch out. Anna was now mad. Her response to Margarets angst was to punch her to be still. Of course that helped. NOT. Margaret then whispers/yells at Anna to quit punching her. Anna punches her again (maybe 2 would help Margaret to be still). At this point I motion for Paul (who is oblivious to the drama being played out between her daughters who are RIGHT NEXT TO HIM) to move between the girls. Anna then starts huffing and puffing because she got in trouble and it was all Margarets fault. Margaret is still whining and wiggling because shes now in trouble and still doesnt quite get why shes there at all and Im seething with all the rage of unvented lectures. All this is being played out during the funeral sermon Right.Behind.The.Family! As we stood to sing the final song, with visions of mom on fire playing through my head it hit me. I never broke down. Gods provision was in the bickering of my fractious children. I began to thank Him for His loving kindness and grace provided through two of His greatest blessings in my life. My precious children. He does all things well. We hurt. We cry. We laugh. We love. We continue to live consecrated to the Lord and look forward to meeting Him face to face. Thank you for your love and support these last 4 months. It has meant so much to all of us!
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 04:22:16 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015