Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed
Here I am up facing a new morning which I am excited about but I’m also a little bit heartbroken and disappointed. Tomorrow is my birthday, and if I’m being honest, today isn’t starting quite the way I had pictured it. That is fine because I know my plans aren’t the LORDs and he must have something else in store for my family. I just need to stay positive and keep my head up which I’m going to do.
Charlie decided at the last minute not to come home like he had been planning to do. I knew when he went to Hobart, Oklahoma after the last time that this might happen. I tried to prepare myself, but I don’t think a mother ever completely prepares herself for the day her child gets homesick and tells you how glad he will be to be back home, then he makes other plans, or decides he’d rather stay a little longer.
I waited yesterday. I waited and waited, looking forward to Charlie coming home. At the last minute, he and David decided he would come home today instead because it was supposed to be raining off and on. I was disappointed, but I told myself that was okay. One more day wouldn’t hurt. Plus, I didn’t want Charlie driving through rain.
Last night I talked to Charlie and we made plans to meet half-way to follow him home. I went to bed knowing I would be seeing Charlie today. I woke up to a text from Charlie at 1am because he knew we would be asleep asking if he could stay until Monday. I read the text to David.
David texted Charlie and let him know it wasn’t what we had agreed on. Then Charlie called and David hung up on him. I called back and just told him to do what would make him happy. I don’t want to lose my son and fighting over being here or there that could happen.
Tomorrow is my birthday. I wanted to spend it with my son. Last year, Charlie turned 18 on his birthday I had plans for him and he did the same think decided he wanted to stay up there not only for his Birthday but Christmas to spend it with Mikayla. Now it looks like this year might be much the same.
I know I should be grateful that he’s having a good time. I’m thankful he has friends and that he’s making memories. I want him to enjoy being young and having experiences of his own. But that doesn’t mean I don’t miss him. And it doesn’t mean I’m not disappointed.
What hurts is believing we had a plan, trusting what I was told, and then waking up to a phone call that changed what I had been looking forward to. There are also things we need to work through. Charlie needs to find a job, his car isn’t working quite right, and there are responsibilities waiting for him at home.
I don’t want to turn this into an argument or spend my days worrying about decisions I cannot make for him. He’s growing up, and part of that means learning to make his own choices. But I’m still his mother. And mothers don’t stop wanting their children home just because they become adults. Thankfully, there are blessings in today, too.
David is home, and he was sweet enough to go get me some donuts. He’s making fried chicken for us, and we’re going to go out and get a tote for the items I’ve been reviewing so I can begun to get the donations together for Christmas. Those might seem like little things, but sometimes the little things are exactly what we need.
Yesterday, I let my emotions get the best of me. I became overwhelmed and didn’t accomplish much work. Today, I’m choosing to do things differently. I’m going to take a shower, wash my hair, get some laundry done, and get back to work. I’m going to let David watch television and enjoy some rest. On Friday, I’m going to have lunch with a friend.
And Charlie? I’m putting him in the Lord’s hands. If he comes home Monday, he’ll come home Monday. If plans change again, I’ll have to deal with that when the time comes. Because worrying about everything isn’t helping me, David, or our family. Sometimes we have to recognize that we can love someone, pray for someone, and want the very best for them without being able to control every decision they make. God knows what our family needs much better than I do.
Today’s Prayer: Heavenly Father,
Today, I place my son Charlie in Your hands. Please keep him safe wherever he goes. Watch over him, guide his decisions, and help him understand the responsibilities that come with growing up. Please bring him home safely when the time is right.
Lord, I also ask that You watch over David and his car. Please let it continue running so he can get back and forth to work safely while we figure out what needs to be done.
You know the financial worries we’re facing. Please help us begin catching up on our bills with David’s paycheck coming in. Open doors, provide opportunities, and give us some breathing room.
Please, let the client I’ve been waiting to pay me to pay soon.
I ask that You bless my work today. Please send new clients our way and let the opportunities come that will help Greatful Moments continue growing.
Please let my plans to meet LuAnn this week work out, and let everything You have planned for our family come together in Your perfect timing.
And Lord, with my birthday tomorrow, help me remember to be thankful for another year, even if things don’t look exactly the way I hoped they would.
Help me release the disappointments I cannot change, enjoy the blessings right in front of me, and remember that I don’t have to carry everything on my own.
Today, I choose to put one foot in front of the other. I choose faith over fear, gratitude over disappointment, and trust over trying to control everything.
Thank You for loving us, providing for us, and walking beside us even on the days when our hearts are heavy.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
You can be grateful for the life God has given you and still have days when your heart hurts. You can miss your children, worry about your family, feel disappointed when plans change, and still recognize the blessings sitting right in front of you. Faith doesn’t mean we never get upset. It means we know where to turn when we do. So today, I’m putting my worries, my children, my family, my work, and tomorrow’s birthday in God’s hands.
Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed — even on the days when things don’t go according to plan. How are you choosing to put your worries in God’s hands today? I’d love to hear from you.
Grateful. Thankful. Blessed.
GreatfulMoments.com
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
