I am a richly blessed woman. Ofcourse you already knew that if you read my last post! 😉 Today I am counting my blessings and there are SOOOO many!
Let me start again with Benny. This week’s BSF lesson was on Genesis 24. You may have read the story yourself. One of the great love stories of the Old Testament. It has probably been the easiest lesson for me yet since I know the story of Isaac and Rebekah so well. You see, Benny proposed to me 14 years ago with this story. He showed up at choir rehearsal one day with a rose. Not too unusual, but he had a look in his eyes that told me something was up. After class, our director moved the piano and left the bench, then called me down to sit on it. Benny got up and began telling the story of Gen. 24, how Abraham’s servant traveled to find Isaac a wife. He talked about the sign the servant asked for and how God answered his prayers when Rebekah came on the scene. (Nice paraphrase, huh?) Long story short, Benny shared a little bit about our relationship, then produced a ring. He got down on one knee and said, “There comes a time in every man’s life when he needs to ask the little question…Niki, Will you water my camels?” Everyone laughed, I cried, along with several of my girlfriends. He is creative and funny, and can always keep me guessing. He is my biggest blessing in life!
Petey went back to Dr. Brian on Tuesday. Many of you have prayed with me and cried with me over this poor little guy’s allergies and what they have done to his body. After a year of chiropractic care and only 3 months of seeing Dr. Brian for allergy desensitization, Pete is free and clear of his food allergies. He tested fine for ALL of them! His 2 year old body is no longer itchy and blotched up with welts. He does have some scarring on his neck that we hope will heal over time, but I am so THRILLED to report that he looks great, and his whole disposition has changed. He’s a happy, goofy little boy and there just aren’t enough words to convey the thankfulness I’m feeling for everyone who has helped us through this valley! Now we have to retrain Max and Zoe to stop policing everyone (including me) when they try to give Petey snacks and food. (What’s in that? Is he allergic? I don’t think he can have that…are you sure he can have that mommy?)
I have had a relationship in my life that has been difficult and pretty toxic to me since I was a child. There have been new struggles thrown in over the past year and I think I even blogged about it once. Anyway, I am finally finding peace about cutting this relationship out of my life. I have always felt an obligation to keep this person in my life – just barely by a thread, but there none the less. I have tried to pursue a positive relationship with this person and gotten no response. It has been a burden and heartache to me not knowing what to do even when everyone else was telling me what they thought I should do. I think I felt obligated (with the help of other family members who played the Christian card on me) because I am a believer and the other person is not. The whole, ” I need to set the example” bit. The more I have sought wise counsel and prayed about this struggle, the more it has been revealed to me that there is no reason at all to keep this person in my life. So I am taking steps to get a little closure on this matter. It is what is best for me, my husband, and my children. I hope everyone else involved will be understanding, but even if they aren’t…I’m o.k. with that. Satan has used this person against me long enough, and I believe God wants more than that for me, and for the other person. I am so thankful for the resolution of this stress in my life, and I pray that God takes a hold of this person and draws them in. I pray He transforms them into something wonderful. I have cried out to God on behalf of this person, and even more for myself and my role in this relationship. What better blessing is there than knowing God hears you and takes the time to stretch and grow you as He answers your prayers?
“GOD, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction….you revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life…”
From Psalm 23, The Message
You are truly bless. You are blessed also with wisdom. Know that you are doing the right thing. You have prayed about it. Accept HIS answer. Love, mom
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I think most of us have had one of those ‘someone’s’ in our life. Like you I kept my door open to him and prayed he would one day repent and ask forgiveness for his crime against our family. The past four years were the most difficult, but like you I leaned on the Lord.
Then one day it was all lifted off of me, and Heavenly Father set me free from the oppression. Free, at last, truly free. I am no longer obligated to open my door for him. I give it all the the Lord. I believe the Lord was testing my obedience, and also giving the other person an opportunity to repent.
It is over now,and I feel I have done what the Lord wanted.
I continue to pray for this person, but I don’t feel responsible for him.
I’m sure you will also feel this release and the freedom that comes with it.
God bless you.
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What a proposal story! He’s a true romantic!
What an answer to prayer about Petey’s allergies! That is incredible!!
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I light-heartedly call it “cleaning house” — but have in all seriousness had to remove negativity from my life, even to the extent of separating myself from another person. It can be an agonizing decision to make, but I know from experience what a blessing it is when you feel the yoke lifted.
And a huge praise for Petey’s allergy relief!!!!
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Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! and Thank You!
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