Hard Lesson Learned

My beautiful daughter, Rebekah has walked through a hard lesson regarding people. To be exact, she is realizing someone she loves very much is not the person she thought she was. That's a difficult spot to be in as an adult, let alone at age 11.

I must say, though, I am very proud of her for the way she has handled most of the situations she's run in to the past 3 weeks with this loved one. She's acted pretty mature for the most part and sought guidance from me when she didn't know what to do. Can I just say, how I love that she comes to me for advice! Some kids think their parents are dumb and don't know anything, but the older she gets, the more she talks to me and I absolutley CHERISH that! I talked to my mom a little bit, but not like she talks to me. It really is quite an honor. :)

I don't want to give details because they really don't matter and I don't want to talk ugly about this person. I am praying for the person that has hurt Rebekah so deeply - we love her and nothing can change that. What has changed though is the level of trust and the dynamic of the relationship. I always tell Rebekah that, "hurting people, hurt people." It breaks my heart to know that Rebekah had to walk through this. I probably could have protected her if I had really tried, but she and I have talked and she knows she had to walk through this or she wouldn't have ever understood why we were protecting her if we had chosen to take that route.

It's hard to watch your kids learn hard lessons - especially when it isn't something they have done wrong. This was a character builder for her and I am believing God will use this experience to help her be a stronger, more compassionate woman of God. She's already pretty incredible in my book, but God has great things for her and I truly believe she had to travel this road to learn to walk a little more like Christ would walk. I am proud of her for her strength on this journey.

I love you, my Rebekah Dawn!

Faith Challenge

Some background: It's been on my heart to write a book about finding God in challenging situations. Back in March or April, a friend of mine who lost her 8 year old daughter 9 years ago, mentioned in front of me wanting to put her daughter's story in book form. I later offered to help her with that if she wanted it. She's taken me up on the offer which is exciting!

However, now I am truly having some faith challenges. I am currently putting the journal of events that lead up to this precious girl's death into a Word Document. As I read the faith filled, enthusiastic, life giving journal, I struggle with the fact that I already know how the story ends. It isn't a happy ending, yet through all the circumstances this family found and saw God the entire journey.

I knew this family. I loved her daughter. Our youngest has taken her name for her middle name to give honor to this family and their precious little girl. If God had chosen to heal her, she would have just turned 17. Almost an imaginable thought to picture her as a 17 year old young woman.

God - I am asking for your strength, wisdom, and insight on how to put this manuscript together. The ultimate goal is to glorify you and anything less would be counterproductiive to the goal that has been set. Give her mom and I strength and courage to face the hard things and still find Your miracle working, Sovereign, Loving presence in this writing. Let Your light and love shine all over the pages of this project and let it touch the hearts of those who also have loved and lost. In Jesus name, Amen!