Jesus Answered with Twelve Little Boxes

The Big “D” 

As a divorced woman I felt like I had a capitol “D” on my forehead. I did not want the divorce and certainly did not know what to do afterward. I found myself asking, “Why is this happening to us?” 
In my church affiliation there were limits on what I could do since I was divorced. My family was incomplete, my ministry was incomplete and I had responsibilities now that before I shared. Now everything was my responsibility. It was a little frightening. Well, I confess it was scary. God knew what and how I needed to learn. Believe me I had a lot to learn. Living through an experience is a good teacher. I would rather learn by hearing about it instead of going through it. That would not grow my Faith. So let the learning begin. 

As a single parent with two children we had good times, exciting times, challenging times and low times. But I had no idea what was to come. It was August and time for the kids to get ready for school. Getting school supplies, clothes, shoes and all the things kids need to begin a new school year. The kids always loved this shopping time. They loved going and picking out their new clothes, shoes, socks, underwear and school supplies. That first day of school was a grand display of all the new attire. That year was different. I was able to purchase the bare necessities but not more. I had a boy, Tommy and a girl, Heather. There were not even hand me downs to rely on. You know how kids can be so impressionable by name brands and what the other kids are wearing. 

Starting school that year was not as much fun as it had been in the past. The kids were starting a new school with no friends and the same clothes. I told them their clothes would be like new ones to the kids at school because they had not seen them before. For them to think of it that way instead of focusing on the negative. “Things will get better” I told them. Their response was, “Oh, Mom!” It did not mean a whole lot to them. When The Lord is teaching us it may not be clear at the time what we are to learn. Later we can look back and see how important it was. What we learned may become the highlight of our memories. Stories to tell our families and friends. Lessons learned to help others when they need it. Encouragement when someone else is in the valley. 

The kids did not know “ALL” that was happening. I tried to shield them from most of it. I did not think they would understand and they certainly did not need the confusion or worry. All they needed to think about was school, getting good grades and making friends. The things that would give them something to be happy about. 

Prayer and Bible Study were always important and I did a lot of prayer/bible study. The kids and I had our family prayer/bible Study time together. This time was very important to me. The kids would share some surprising things during their prayer time. Sincere, from the heart, prayers that would bring me to tears. So many times those prayers would even be an answer to a prayer that I had been taking to The Lord. The beauty in that is also rewarding. When The Lord uses your child to answer your prayer. You cannot doubt the confirmation. 

I remember one night we were in the living room watching TV. I had positioned a pillow by my face so the kids could not see me. I was crying softly. I was extremely lonely that night and I had been talking with the Lord. I was telling Him how much I needed someone. I knew that He should be ALL I needed but I needed someone who I could see, someone I could hear, someone I could feel and touch. As I continued to cry, Heather came and very softly, moved the pillow and said, “I love you.” Then she kissed me on the cheek and gave me a hug. In my Spirit, Jesus said, “Here I am.” “You can see me, you can hear me, you can feel me and you can touch me. Through your child!” My Spirit was over flowing. It was an awesome feeling and I knew it was the Holy Spirit in me. Thank you, Jesus for answering my prayer. Your way and the timing was Perfect. You are Perfect, Lord. 

When you need to know The Lord is there. Ask Him and He will be there and if you need to see Him, hear Him, touch Him or hug Him. Remember He might send someone to you that you can do those things with because He is in them. One day we will “Really” be able to see and touch and all those things with Jesus. For now we have our Christian brothers and sisters. 

When the kids had questions I would try and answer their questions with as little information as possible but always with encouragement from the Bible. Trying to teach them (and myself) to have Faith in an Almighty God. A God who cared about every need we had and letting them know that He would provide for us. 
Genesis 22:14 (NABRE) He is Jehovah Jireh, which means; The Lord our Provider. 
Genesis 22:14 (NLT) Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide”). 

I wanted to become like Abraham, he was so willing to do what God said. God would say, “Abraham”. Abraham would respond, “Here I am, Lord”. When God told him to go Abraham did not hesitate he packed and took Isaac with him. He started on the journey without knowing what God wanted. God told him while on the journey. What do you think you would do if you did not know the Plan? 

Abraham was obedient and believed that if he sacrificed Isaac on the alter God would have to raise Isaac from the dead. Because God had promised him that He would multiply the earth with Abraham and Sarah’s seed. That was Isaac. God waited until Abraham had Isaac on an alter and had his knife up in the air ready to slay Isaac. That is when God called to Abraham and told him not to hurt Isaac. The Lord provided the ram instead of Isaac for the sacrifice. That is how I wanted to be. Ready to go when The Lord called to me to go. Without the questions. Yet, there I was asking all kinds of questions. I was nowhere near where Abraham was spiritually. I had and still do have a lot of growing to do.