“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
 plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
If you read this blog very often, then you have probably read this scripture…knowing that HE has a plan I do not see is often what gets me through the day…the week…the month…and so on.  When I ask “why” I usually return to this verse.  His plan is to proper, not to harm.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”

declares the LORD.
Isaiah 55:8
Things happen in my life that make me wonder just WHAT is going on?  Why can’t things just go according to plan?  I think what I really mean is why can’t he, she or they see things MY way?  I need to take a step back…who said MY way was the best way?

Last year on Thursday December 3rd, my son called me from college and said he was being sent home with the swine flu.  Exactly one year ago today Monday, December 7, 2009, right here on this blog I wrote these words:

As I drove home, I was reminded of the choices Andy has made with which I have agreed and those with which I did not agree. The times that I said something and immediately wished I had not. The times that I didn’t say anything and later wished I had. Those times cannot be recalled. There is no instant replay in life. I can and have asked for forgiveness from both Andy and the Lord, but I still wish I had reacted differently. And yet, as I thought about this, my thoughts turned to the relationship we, as Christians, have with our heavenly Father. How frustrated must he get with us, his children, when we make decisions with which he does not agree? He is all powerful and all knowing. He could stop us from making such choices, yet he gave us the gift of free will. So…he allows us to make our own choices. Hopefully, when we SCREW UP, as we all do, we remember that He loves us and we need only to ask his forgiveness and he will forgive. As a human, I find it much harder to forgive and I pray that I can be more forgiving and accepting.

This weekend, with Andy back in the house, reminded me that no matter how big our children get, they are still our children. I love Andy no matter what; just as my heavenly Father loves me – no matter what. My heavenly Father died on the cross for me; I believe I would give my life for my son…BUT…will I allow my son the gift of free will, the gift to make his own choices without imposing my thoughts, beliefs, ideas and ideals on him. I cling to the promise in Proverbs 22:6, “train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” I know John and I trained him and brought him up in the right way.

Funny…one year later Andy lives on the other side of the country.  While not having a lot of money, he seems to be content and is trying very hard to make it on his on.  He asks for very, very little assistance from John and me.  That plan that I do not see is in play.

Now…one year later I am reminded of these same thoughts in relation to a situation with my parents.  They are getting older, in my opinion they no longer need to be living alone.  While currently spending a couple of months with a sibling in a state other than where they live, my Mom seems determined to return to their home state and live in their house.  My Dad will do whatever my Mom wants – not because he doesn’t have his own mind but because he loves her that much and wants her to be happy.   He will do anything for my Mother.  The sibling with which they are staying has offered for them to live with her and her husband.  My parents will be 89 and 90 in February of 2011…I love them dearly.  There are seven kids in my family…I believe we all want what is best for our parents, but…

will we allow them the gift of free will, the gift to make their own choices without imposing our thoughts, beliefs, ideas and ideals on them.
Lord, as I am faced with this situation with Mother and Daddy, please guide me.  When it comes time in the next day or so to offer my opinion, please help me to be respectful and kind.  You know my tongue can be very venomous at times.  Lord, if it is your will for them to return to their home and live out their last days there, please help me be accepting of that and help us find the resources that they need to assist them.  Lord, if it is best for them to stay where they are, please touch their hearts and make them open to that.  Certainly on the surface, Lord, that seems to be best…but Your ways are not my ways and Your plan is one I do not see.  So, Lord, I am really, really trying hard to let it go…please grant me that wish – to release this decision to Your will.  Please guide me and the rest of my family on this journey…please give me a peace about this situation, Lord.

Whew…friends, you can see this is an emotional path I am on.  I thank you in advance for your prayers.  

By the way…like my new signature?  I have thought it was neat when bloggers “signed” their post.  I created mine at http://www.mylivesignature.com/ and it’s FREE!

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