Resurrection Power

As ever it has been longer between posts than I would have liked by far. But as ever, there is a genuine reason.

Two weeks ago the children broke up from school for the Easter holidays, which was lovely as it gives a lovely break from the usual rushing around. I had grand visions of using the first week to do some much needed clearing out, followed by time with the children in week 2. The Lord gave me a word through someone else some years ago about 'clearing away the clutter' and essentially making room for what He had in store for us, and this word has been really fruiting just lately. I've felt God clear so much emotional baggage in my life, that it's made it easier to let go of all the 'stuff' in my life that has passed its purpose or usefulness.

Week 1 was great and we cleared out 6 or so huge garbage bags of items to give away or bin, plus we did two large car loads to the tip. The way my ever messy house is starting to come together is just wonderful. We were just looking forward to some quality family time in Week 2, when the devil cut in on us.

My eldest daughter has been in a relationship with her 'boyfriend' for just over a year. We weren't always happy with the relationship, but we prayed through everything and really sought to walk God's way in it, whilst loving and supporting her. But his behaviour and that of his parents had become increasingly concerning.

In essence, it has transpired (in bits and pieces) over the past 6 months that he has become more and more controlling and obsessive. Don't wear this. Don't do that. Don't be in the school play. Don't talk to that person.

Some major issues came to light with the relationship last October and it was so bad we had to involve the Police and their school. He was asked to leave the school and find another. His parents blamed us and never looked at his behaviour.

We were from that point very unhappy with the relationship, and apart from a few times over Christmas have not let our daughter see him. But their feelings have only intensified and behind our backs his parents were talking to her and offering for her to live with them when she was 16. Even more concerning as some things had gone on whilst she was in their care (aged 14) that were not right and they knew was irresponsible.

Then last weekend we discovered he has been cyber-bullying her mates more and more on Facebook, culminating in her receiving dreadful, frightening messages from her telling her to accept their relationship status and un-friend certain people or else. The messages were so vicious and bullying that we felt we had no choice but to involve the Police, especially as every time she brings her boyfriend up in conversation we get threatened with another bout of self-harm (which she tried after we stopped her seeing him) or leaving home. We as parents are just not equipped for this, and we needed some advice and help. So we were up until 3.30 a.m. Friday night/ Saturday morning looking on her computer and other devices, and then called the Police first thing Saturday.

We had the most wonderful Policeman come round, who as it turns out had been through the exact same thing with his daughter. I'm sure the Lord sent him, as he understood and completely empathised. But even so, having the Police arrive within a few hours of your call, and springing that on your daughter, is stressful. What we did not know however was that a Policeman was also going round to see the boyfriend and his parents.

After a very late lunch my husband took the dog for a walk and left me at home with just my two boys. I was already tired and stressed (we'd also had a customer with dementia who had been calling constantly, adding to the drama). Into this charged atmosphere came the boyfriends parents. They turned up unannounced on the door step. I did not answer the door. They had been calling constantly earlier when we'd speaking with our daughter so we were planning to return the call later. But they had decided that as we hadn't immediately picked up, to get in the car and come over, to challenge us on why we'd involved the Police and what was our problem.

I called my husband who immediately who arrived home 10 minutes later, but in the meantime my son had answered the door and let them in (yes, we had a chat about that afterwards!). But honestly, facing two angry people alone, I felt scared.

The meeting was awful. Throughout, probably due to stress and tiredness, I found it hard to stop my body from physical shaking. The meeting ended when my husband asked them to leave. The mother was getting more and more agitated and finally accused me of enjoying all the drama and causing it all on purpose. After they left, the accumulated fear, adrenalin and shock of it all kicked in and I collapsed on the floor sobbing. It took probably about half an hour for my husband to calm me. But I can confess that after I was calmed, he left me for a few minutes. I just sat there, with the Lord, asking for help. And I did feel His presence and His peace.

I think the hardest part has been acknowledging that even with all the prayers in the world we cannot protect our children from hardships in life. This is so not what I hoped for in terms of relationships for my kids. To have a non-Christian bully and control them in increasingly frightening ways, have him text and message us, verbally abusing us. Have the Police round my house. Have the school involved. Have constant teen drama and upset until late and night and often over weekends when we are trying to rest and enjoy family time. Instead I am learning that our kids' roads are often rocky, as was mine. But God is there, and when we let go of our false expectations, He can come in with His life.

That is really what the Easter story is about. Jesus died, but from it came new life for the whole world, the whole universe. From my death to false hopes and self reliance, can come God's new life. It's not here yet. But this past week, as well as trying not to cry every five minutes and clinging to God as if to a life raft, there have been small glimmers that have given me hope. I realise now, that even at Easter, you had the crucifixion (Friday) and the resurrection (Sunday), but you also had the day in between (Saturday) when it all looked plain awful and hopeless. Right now in this, and in so many other areas, we are on the day in between, but moving ever closer to that day of new life.

So that's why I've not been posting. Too much drama and resulting exhaustion - all the concern and stress made both myself and my husband feel quite ill.

But to reinforce the point that from dead things can come new life:

How can you bring new life to a stick? Turn it into an Easter tree!

We spotted a couple of naughty fairies on the tree ...

... as well as one practising her 'Ta-dah!' pose.

We also spotted a rather pretty Easter chicken ...

... and her subversive looking friend!

But sadly Easter draws to a close for another year. I hope yours has been full of good things. And for all those who, like me, are still in that 'day in between', I pray you would know God's presence in the waiting.

More soon. Be blessed : )