Literally. We took off at midnight to go to Atlanta to attend Rhea’s Days. I’ve decided we need to go hobnob with all these successful entrepreneurs and see if some of their success won’t rub off on us. (^%$& CRASH &*#@)
(RATS!! I knew that there had to be something dangerous about getting desk chairs with wheels. Now when I laugh so hard I fall off, the chair goes flying in the other direction. Note to self: Don’t laugh with children in the room – CPS not likely to accept Bowling for Children as a new PE program for our homeschool.)
Perhaps you remember our trip to Nashville in April? We took everyone with us, including my Dad, and stayed for 4 1/2 nights in two rooms. I love my children and I enjoy having a close family – but that was just a little too close. (Waking to find one child sleeping beside me, one sleeping with her head on me and another sleeping across the end of the bed made me value my personal space VERY much!)
This time we are leaving some of our crew behind. This will be the first time that we’re separated from our “middle” three for so long. (We did a few days when Baby Burt was born, but we weren’t 12+ hrs away, more like 35 minutes.)
It certainly has brought up an interesting concept. I know that the Lord wants us in Atlanta. I know this from many demonstrations by Father – I know this from prayer – I know this from the miracles that the Lord worked on our behalf – I know this from my husband’s leadership – I know this from the amount of flak that we’re taking from the enemy for the decision to go.
It’s hard to leave my Littles. It was especially hard when we were leaving. We’ve not been apart like that. But, what does this imply? Does it imply that I should have stayed home? Maybe. Although I will tell you, I had planned on doing that, but was waffling in my decision so I asked the Lord for confirmation – and I was even pretty specific as to what that “sign” needed to be. The money for me to go. I prayed that prayer on Sunday afternoon and by Sunday evening, the Lord had sold a large collection of our things on ebay, totaling what I needed in order to go. Not a bad “sign,” eh?
So, is my going sin? Am I forsaking my role as mommy by going without my Littles? Judging by the face of my teenagers, I am, instead, fostering ministry and relationship with my Bigs. It’s funny, I keep running into places in my life where the Lord is seriously pushing the envelope of my convictions. I’m finding that things I wouldn’t have dreamed of before, I do willingly. I find that too, there are things that I really don’t want to do, that Father is asking of me – again and again.
And you want to know what it all comes down to? It all comes down to drawing intimately near to the Lord, to hear His voice. In this instance, no matter how hard it is to do what pleases Father (which leaving my children would represent), I hold fast to knowing that obedience ALWAYS brings blessing.
So, tomorrow morning when it is hard, again, to be only 1/2 a family for the weekend, I will choose instead to remember that by walking in the paths the Lord has ordained for us, we are choosing to walk in His blessing – and seek His Kingdom. To that, all these other things – including relationship with my Littles, even though I am not home this weekend – will be added. Why? Because of the goodness of our Lord and His lovingkindness….and because obedience ALWAYS brings blessing.
Well, since I’m falling asleep at the computer, guess I’d better go get some sleep. That 4 hrs, grabbed in pieces doesn’t seem to be sufficient.
For the King and His Kingdom ~ Dawn
