Morning Lord! Here we are, Sunday morning, and I’ve woken up early. With the house now minus its most recent guests I am once again free to roam its halls without fear of surprise encounters or of disturbing anyone I shouldn’t. So, rather than feeling a bit peeved with waking up early I am instead revelling in the freedom of being able to sit in my own lounge, sprawl about as I please, and justify my actions to no one.
Sorry about the lack of prayer yesterday, but it turned out to be a day of chaotic proportions. Jess, bless her heart, was completely disorganised and in the five weeks she and Madison have been here had managed to spread a great deal of her worldly goods all over our house. Not only that, she hadn’t given much thought to how she would transport all the rest of her possessions that have been mouldering in our garage, so not only did Andrew and I have to help her pack, we also ended up organising her move as well. Thankfully (as you know) Cameron was able to come and lend a hand (repaid by dinner last night), we were able to borrow a trailer off Libby’s husband Mark, the weather stayed fine, and four trips later, Jess and Madison were officially gone.
I must say that with such a display of incompetence on Jess’s part I do wonder how she has managed to get as old as she is and raise a child almost single-handedly and for the both of them to still be alive. Yet the new arrangements do look like they will work out well. Madison’s transfer to the new school has been expedited, and Jess once again has work and a home. Long may it last, Lord. I pray that you would bless them and keep them safe. I recognise that I may be part of that process and know I will have to try to stay in touch, but for now all I can feel is profound gratitude to once again have our house and our family back to normal – or what goes for normal around here.
Dinner with Cameron and Ashley turned out to be fun although there was one sad moment when Ashley announced that they’ve found themselves a new church to go to. Ashley said that as much as they liked Daniel, they both felt there was no way they could fellowship and grow with Ma and Pa Copeland casting them disapproving stares, or causing ructions in the car park. Apparently Daniel was instrumental in helping them make this momentous decision and in assisting with finding a new church which does make me wonder what he’s playing at. Could he not have counselled Claire and William that they should find a new church – somewhere where Claire is welcome to share her views, have them obeyed, and have the last word on absolutely everything? Like a nice fellowship somewhere in Outer Mongolia?
I wish I could reluctantly concede that it is better for Cameron and Ashley to be happy and for Cameron to be able to get grounded in his faith in a place not brimming with animosity. I wish I could wholeheartedly agree that a fresh start is needed for Ashley as well, and that a new, supportive church is probably just what they need to help nurture their relationship. Instead all I can think is, “What about me?” Maybe I don’t want to be at church with Claire and William either, or for Cameron and Ashley to be going to a different church. I suggested to Andrew that we should leave too, but then he did remind me that we both enjoy Daniel, I love my Bible Study group and that the place isn’t all bad.
This seems to be another example of you doing things, Lord, that I’m just not so sure about. Sometimes I can’t fathom why you allow things to turn out as they do. And why is it that every time something good happens (like Jess and Madison moving out) something else bad seems to come in and take its place?
But, I do still love you, Lord, and I pray that you would forgive me for my lack of faith. As we prepare to go to church this morning I pray that you would bless our family, speak to our hearts, and bless Daniel as he comes to speak your word to us. I pray I would not be tempted to give Daniel a piece of my mind and that if at all possible, we could avoid contact with the in-laws so I don’t give them not just a piece of my mind but a whole wedge of my thoughts on their recent behaviour and conduct. In your name I pray…Amen.