This morning I drove to O’Hare with another parent from our church, and we dropped our teens at the United Terminal. We hugged them goodbye and watched them walk inside to meet the rest of the group that is, as I write this 16 hours later, still on their way to South Africa.
All day I prayed for Melanie–as I spent the morning working at my part-time office job, as I ran errands, as I answered emails. this afternoon I spent an hour on the phone with fellow writer Tricia Goyer, recording her radio show (I was a guest and got to talk about my new book Deeper into the Word), then put in a few more hours of freelance work until my son came home from volleyball practice, and we had some dinner. After dinner my husband called, his car had broken down and he needed me to pick him up.
This morning’s trip to O’Hare was in so many ways significant: a step of trust for me, a step of independence and faith for my daughter. I wish I could take some time to “ponder these things in my heart” but today I was too busy. Or did I choose to be busy to avoid having to ponder? Hmmm….
Thanks for your prayers for our family and especially for my daughter as she follows Jesus’ leadings.
First, my husband’s car broke down today also! Second, I can’t imagine being at that point of having a child (my children are 11 and 9 – camp is about it!) go off on a big venture – even though it will probably be a life-changing event. There are many days that I feel like I can’t get any spiritual time in. However, I do remember reading one of your books which talked about breath prayers. Something is better than nothing! I’m sure the children will be well. I will say a prayer for all involved – parents included! And, for the cars!
Sorry for the delay in posting your comment, Dawn! Thanks for your thoughts! I’m doing breath prayers all day–and they’re definitely a wonderful way to connect with God.
We were able to get the car fixed–and my husband’s parents generously helped us with the repair bill! (Which is helping me to be a little more gracious to them.)
My daughter’s always been independent. She and her brother have flown by themselves to California to visit my parents several times. When we go through airports, I make her or my son direct us: which gate are we at? Where is it? How do we get there? Your kids are at the age where, if you travel, you can have them do this. Such great lessons in self-sufficiency.
In addition to breath prayers, I have also been praying for my daughter by simply imagining her loving on the children who come to the ministry where they are serving in Capetown. I imagine her playing with them, talking to them. I hold that picture in my mind, and ask God to let her feel his smile as she’s engaging with those kids.