Last Chapter Not Written Yet

In 2001, undeniably God called Paul and me away from Oklahoma to a new mission field in New Orleans. Our youngest daughter, Christy felt that call as well and went along, but our oldest daughter Beth was in college and stayed in Oklahoma.

As a mother, leaving an eighteen-year old twelve hours away was invariably one of the most difficult decisions of my life.

Nevertheless as a family, we had prayed and felt confident about God’s direction.

 

Beth and I laugh now about how differently we viewed that last day together. I was worried sick about leaving her and she couldn’t wait until we crossed a few state lines! She was a happy camper! No parents to answer to for awhile.

 

Yes, Beth was a typical first born child who sought independence at the mere age of two. Countless times I would remind her that I was the mother and she was the child. She fought for her rights through her teen years and beyond. Remembering one day nearly distraught from battle fatigue, one special lady in our church who had raised three sons came by and patted me on the shoulder. She looked me in the eye and asked me how I was doing, “Ok, I said.” However, she knew better.

 

With a wink and a smile, she whispered,

“We’ve been through the fire and we don’t smell any ashes.”

It was just enough to help me go on loving and raising that beautiful daughter of mine.

Beth and I haven’t lived near each other since that day in 2001 until recently. We have been having so much fun doing stuff that so many may take for granted like shopping together, projects, playing games, movies and going to church. One of the most special times we have together is our family dinners. As we were having dinner this week, Beth announced that she is definitely ready to settle down and doesn’t want to ever move away from her family again. After that she looked at her husband, smiled and said, “I am so happy.”

 

Raising children is like reading a book. It is an amazing story if you are willing to take the time finish it.

Our problem is that many times we want to determine the outcome before we get through it all. As a mom there were days while raising teenage daughters that I thought, will they want to come home once they leave? Will our family grow up and have family dinners together? Truly, the last chapter has not been written on any of our lives. We need to quit closing the book and saying, “Well, that’s the way it’s going to end.” To hear Beth say to her husband and son that being with us makes her happy, fills me with such joy and happiness!

I think our family book is just adding more and more chapters every day. I am so excited to read it!

 

 

Isaiah 43:2-5 Amplified Bible (AMP)

²When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you.    ³For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt [to the Babylonians] for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba [a province of Ethiopia] in exchange [for your release].    ⁴Because you are precious in My sight and honored, and because I love you, I will give men in return for you and peoples in exchange for your life.    ⁵Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east [where they are dispersed] and gather you from the west.

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