I'm writing this with several emotions warring to be the winner to topple my fragile sense of peace and calm to the ground. In less than 4 hours DH and I will have begun our journey that will see us visiting friends in a remote area of South East Asia. (To protect the privacy of the people they work with I will not be sharing exact locations but I do hope to be sharing some photos.)
Our bags have been packed since Saturday and all that's left to do is throw in a few last minute items (the phones that have been charging overnight and my glasses which I'm wearing now), get ourselves ready, and then say our goodbyes.
This is the part I'm dreading. We've said goodbye to our married sons and their families already (and received one of those if-looks-could-kill glares from The Most Adorable Granddaughter#3 because we'll be missing her birthday - and not just hers) and even felt a little teary when I realised how long it would be before we see them again, but it's our two single sons that I'm going to struggle to say goodbye to. I know our older sons have wonderful wives who will love them and support them, but Son#4 and Son#5 are alone. I have to keep reminding myself that they've been away from home 4 years and 2 years respectively. But I'm a mum and will always be a mum and I'm going to fuss over them whenever they come home and make sure they're fed and watered and ask them a zillion questions which makes it appear that I think I'm the only one who can care for them and generally drive them crazy.
If they're wise, they'll stay in bed and avoid all the parting stress! (Actually that wouldn't be wise for at least one son who has a long drive ahead of him today. Perhaps they'll just have to endure the dreaded hugs and tears and last minute instructions after all.)
As we are about to embark on this (scary) adventure I've been reminded again and again that God does not give us a spirit of fear. He has promised to be with us wherever we go. He is our God ... He will watch over us ... we do not need to be afraid ... and He can look after my family while we're away and has been doing it all along (despite any illusions - delusions? - I might have that I actually look after them.)
So ... I will not fear ... for the Lord God of Israel ... who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow ... will be with us ... wherever we go.
Our bags have been packed since Saturday and all that's left to do is throw in a few last minute items (the phones that have been charging overnight and my glasses which I'm wearing now), get ourselves ready, and then say our goodbyes.
This is the part I'm dreading. We've said goodbye to our married sons and their families already (and received one of those if-looks-could-kill glares from The Most Adorable Granddaughter#3 because we'll be missing her birthday - and not just hers) and even felt a little teary when I realised how long it would be before we see them again, but it's our two single sons that I'm going to struggle to say goodbye to. I know our older sons have wonderful wives who will love them and support them, but Son#4 and Son#5 are alone. I have to keep reminding myself that they've been away from home 4 years and 2 years respectively. But I'm a mum and will always be a mum and I'm going to fuss over them whenever they come home and make sure they're fed and watered and ask them a zillion questions which makes it appear that I think I'm the only one who can care for them and generally drive them crazy.
If they're wise, they'll stay in bed and avoid all the parting stress! (Actually that wouldn't be wise for at least one son who has a long drive ahead of him today. Perhaps they'll just have to endure the dreaded hugs and tears and last minute instructions after all.)
As we are about to embark on this (scary) adventure I've been reminded again and again that God does not give us a spirit of fear. He has promised to be with us wherever we go. He is our God ... He will watch over us ... we do not need to be afraid ... and He can look after my family while we're away and has been doing it all along (despite any illusions - delusions? - I might have that I actually look after them.)
So ... I will not fear ... for the Lord God of Israel ... who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow ... will be with us ... wherever we go.
Comments