Home is Where You Go…..to Watch God Answer Your Prayers….
I love it when God’s presence is black and white in life….When you cannot call your life’s happenings “God-Incidences” but rather can claim them as direct answers to your quiet prayers.
When there is no doubt….no wonder…no “fork in the road”…
Yesterday, I took my daughter to college for the second time in her life. The first time we traveled West. Prayers were laid daily at God’s feet that her Western Experience would be a good one…
I never could grow in comfort that she was where God wanted her to be….but, it is her life…her decision…so, she went. And, her Dad, her brothers and I took her. I remember so much about that weekend…the hopes, the fears…the prayers. I even remember the sun setting in the West and pulling hope from the beauty of the soft pinks, oranges and yellows…praying and praying all would go well.
Her room was adorable….her roommate seemed “ok”…the school itself was wonderful..
But, when we drove off, it didn’t feel “God blessed”….
I kept my thoughts to myself. I am just her Mom. God can take anything and make it beautiful..wonderful…great.
And, I knew HE was with her….
Fast forward one year….
Yesterday, Madison, her “ladder Dad”, Ian, and I drove her the 35 minutes East to college.
We took the traditional photos in front of our home with Ian, me, her brothers and even her Dad.
Very different experience.
As we set East, I prayed….
I live in prayer for all of my children, but for my daughter, I feel immersed.
The experience was a quiet one.
We were met at her dorm by tons of college kids who loaded 90% of her belongings to her room before we could even get to the front to register. They were organized, ready and willing to serve us. It made us smile.
They seemed to genuinely be ready to serve…glad to have my daughter join them. You could feel God’s presence.
We go to the desk to register…Madison is a little nervous…it is a big step to return to something where you had once struggled. I admire her for this ability.
I prayed…Lord, I know you are always with us…please let your presence be evident in a “black and white way”. And, HE did.
Madison was registered by very kind and sweet people….they made her (and us) feel wanted. The smile on her face was priceless…it was genuine….
Through her nervousness, she walked…and, all along her path, God put kind people to encourage her.
Her RA, “Courtney”…appeared almost immediately. A very sweet, spritely young woman, she welcomed us with great spirit…laughter filled the dorm room…it was a sweet welcome.
God….thank you!
I will carry in my heart forever one of the very first images I had of the room…..right as you walk in the door on the white shelf lay a Bible…not just any Bible….”The Extreme Teen” Bible. And, it was not a graduation gift from a few months prior. It was a well-worn, well-used, somewhat tattered and very much appeared to be loved Bible…
I smiled.
God….thank you!
I have an Extreme Teen (actually, three)….maybe I need to be reading from that BibleJ
I didn’t take The Bible as a miraculous sign…I do not cling to that type of thinking. What it was to me was a direct response to a humbled Mama’s prayers…
We did the standard “college move” processes….
Decorate the room…
Stock the fridge….
Check out the empty mailbox…and beg for mail (If you would like her address, message meJ)
And, of course, remind your parents that you will soon be needing some new clothes for the quickly arriving FALL weather!
We meet her new roommate…a very sweet young woman…a little nervous as well.
We meet her Mama and some relatives/friends. Equally nice and kind.
It is the kind of experience you hope to have....relaxed, welcoming….
We go to lunch (she was successful in a goal she set for heself (Grammy, you would have been proud)….and, we return……
On our way in the door, we meet another friend who Madison went to HS with. Very Very sweet girl…she loans us her “tool box” and we are able to finish our room decorating and set up. I am impressed with the kindness she displays to Madison. And, grateful…that she would spend time giving Madison the “how tos” from her own personal expertise (this is her second year at the school).
Thank you….God
And, finally, as we wrap up Madison’s “move in day”….we head to the front door of the dorm…
On our way out the door, three young women (their names elude me, but I will never forget our conversation)….introduced themselves to Madison, Ian and me. They gave a little of their history, their campus experience…the location of important places on campus…they took our photo…
And, they invited Madison to go to church with them.
And, I believe she will.
Thank you, God.
That while you do not always so clearly make your presence known…sometimes, just as we need you to…
You do.
Blessings,
Lesa
