Another slightly more peaceful morning today, Lord. Unbelievably, Emily and Nathan are happily engaged in a great game of playing make believe shops, with the only reluctant player being the cat, whom I think they were trying to draft in as an extra shopper. Some hope.
Anyway, while they are busily engaged I thought I would sneak in my time with you since, if things run true to form, it won’t be long before there’s some dispute about someone not playing the game right, and then the fur will fly without hasty intervention. But it’s nice to see for now, and nice to see some sign that Nathan is feeling a bit better.
My main prayer item today is Caroline, Lord. As I wrote yesterday, I really wanted to catch up with her, but never imagined that calling would open me up to such misery. I mean, I’m glad I called even though it was hard. It’s just that knowing Caroline is having such a hard time of it and not really being able to do much about it is not only gut wrenching, it’s also guilt making.
Things just seem to be going so badly on all fronts there, Lord. Christian is barely sleeping at all, and since he is not safe to be left to his own devices, Caroline is barely sleeping either. You can hear in her voice that she’s dead on her feet. This alone would be terrible if the other two children were doing okay but both of them are clearly experiencing fall-out from Logan’s departure.
Caroline said Trinity is spending massive amounts of time at the piano and has retreated into her own world, barely speaking. Then Faith asked if she could walk down to the dairy on the corner of their road to buy some chocolate with a little bit of her Christmas money only to be caught trying to put some extra chocolate up her shirt. Of course Caroline was mortified that the one time she lets Faith out alone (really out of desperation) Faith becomes a petty thief. Then she had to take Trinity (who didn’t want to go) and Christian (who was in mid tantrum) down to the shop to sort everything out. Mercifully the shop owners were lenient, and let Faith off with a warning. Perhaps they could see that she comes from a troubled household. I don’t know. Of course poor Caroline is mortified nonetheless, as I would be if that happened with either of my two.
Then, to top it all off, the state of their finances is becoming clearer by the day and (so shocking) it sounds as though the bank may actually foreclose on their house – and soon – effectively meaning Caroline will be out on the streets. It is all just so unbelievable.
In the end I couldn’t stand it, the knowing but the not being able to do anything, so I called Caroline’s mother. Once again it seems Caroline has been putting on a brave face with them and they had no idea about any of it really except that they knew Christian was a bit of a handful (understatement of the century) and that people (including them) had been helping out with meals as a temporary measure. I said I thought that Caroline’s top priority at this point had to be sleep, followed closely by some help with the girls since she is clearly unable to give them the attention they need. So my call did spur the Simpsons into action, but whether Caroline will ever speak to me again for betraying her trust I don’t know. I’m too scared to call to find out.
So, Lord, I bring this whole sorry mess before you and continue to pray for a solution. Please help my friend. I ask this in your mighty name…Amen
P.S. Just remembered…on the other best friend front, some other news that I can’t decide is good or bad. Linley came home to say that one of her new colleagues is looking for a flatmate and since Linley likes the look of her she’s decided to accept. When Linley said she had no rent to be able to pay up-front, the woman said, “Oh well.” Oh well? Who says that about money?
Anyway, the upshot is that Linley is moving out in the weekend – something I know I should be thrilled about. Somehow, though, I can’t help feeling Linley hasn’t learned anything through this sorry episode and isn’t really in a strong enough financial position to make this work without falling into the same old bad habits of spending too much. Why is it that sometimes, every silver lining has a cloud? Please have your hand on this situation too.