Skip to main content

Helpless & Trusting



This past Sunday I sent our youngest son to a week-long sleep away camp in Pennsylvania.  We sent our oldest approximately 2,000 miles away a week earlier. As I drove off with my beautiful wife of over fifteen years, I realized something.  I have no kids.  Bottles poppin'. Radio blastin'! Oh my goodness.  This is about to be a...Wait!  There was a hushed silence in the backseat, one we had not heard in quite some time.  Almost...haunting. This was a silence in which we would not hear their voices for a least a week. No arguing, groaning, no, 'I need togo to the bathroom' or 'I'm hungry' for seven days.  168 hours.  In fact, this was the first time both my boys were in different parts of the world...with folks who I really don't know that well.  Cap the bottles and turn down Florida Georgia Line.

To top it off, I could do nothing. The oldest in one part of the continent; the youngest in another. The problem I was having was that I had to trust that they would be okay with people who are not their parents. I'm helpless here! I am a minimum of three hours away from each child! 

Trust can be a real...challenge. This is where God wants me. Trusting Him.

What situations have you been put in where you simply had to trust? Especially when it comes to your family? I'm open to hear, trusting that you will respond. I'm NOS...

Comments

  1. BrandonPDuncanSunday, June 30, 2013

    My wife and I have been through this before. As nice as it is getting a break, the silence can become irritating, yes, you do feel helpless and begin to analyze the "what-if's", and IF you let it, can ruin your break from them or alone time with her (however you view the glass.)

    The best I can tell you is that you discuss it with your spouse, or as you mentioned, pray about it, but for your personal comfort and easement. You have to seize the moment to spend quality time with yourself and your spouse when it comes, which you know is few and far between. Remember, they (kids) may be quietly going through the same thing, though they may never admit it. It's good for both of you. Tests the resolve, if nothing else.

    Enjoy yourself... and turn the music back on. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMonday, August 12, 2013

    As a military spouse, I am put in the "trust" position more than I care for. My husband is currently overseas and I am trusting that he will return home safely- that trust I am more versed in and God and I have that discussion frequently. Believe me!
    My new position of trust involves the kids. We have recently moved to new place. That in and of itself is not new either. This time though, we have moved to a town where we do not know anyone and it is a small town. A homogenous town. More than likely my kids will be in classes this year where they will not look at another child and see a reflection of themselves. I am concerned more than just a bit about this. My kids know what it is like to be in the minority, but they do not know ONLY one status. Heck, I don't know ONLY one status. I do not know how the local kids will react to or how they will treat my children. I do not know how the local kids have been raised, what their families' beliefs, ideals, or perceptions are. Will my kids make friends? Will they be accepted socially? How will this affect them academically? Aaaaarrrrggghhh!! The answers to all these questions are: I don't know. I feel helpless as I get ready for them to start school, but as you said, after prayers are said, all I can do is.....Keep calm and trust God.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Before you go, I have to tell you this...

My wife and oldest son had been feverishly preparing for this for over two years. A sojourn to Egypt is what monopolized the attention of this house for about the past week. We've been packing, buying last minute items, and anticipating an almost 24-hour travel. As my wife was packing at the gorgeous time of 4:15 am, I was writing some thoughts to my son. I was giving him advice-technical, moral, physical, and spiritual advice. Even while cutting his hair last night, I was advising him. At the end of the letter, I gave him my blessing. I wrote a letter to Paula as well. And just like the one to my son, I gave her the same type of advice, just more seasoned for her needs. And at the end of the letter, I gave her my blessing. I packed the letters away in their suitcases. They won't see them until they reach their hotel in Egypt. I learned and was reminded of a couple of things from their upcoming experience. First, perseverance has its rewards. They stuck this program out fo
7 comments
Read more

Running with the pack

53:45 unofficial.  That was my time for the Veterans Day 10K race I ran.  53:45 unofficial.  My goal was to knock off some minutes from my 10K last year.  I knocked off about 5 minutes; I am happy about that.  Yet my time was 53:45 unofficial. I had a very good pace starting out.  I actually changed my running style some months ago to conserve a bit of energy.  It worked.  But during the race, I stopped...three times to be exact.  Once for water, the second time I am clueless about, and the third was because I really was tired (next time, I will stay off the late night movies and donuts before race day!)  But that was not my lesson.  My lesson was that I needed to stay in a pack, run with other people to keep a constant pace.  Why is that so important?  Well, I, The Bassman, am a very successful introvert (at least I can be).  I know how to be alone and be comfortable.  I have noticed in the last couple of years that I work best when I work with others.  That's just me.  Tryin
4 comments
Read more

He can do it...

My wife was in a minor car accident that has really given her some challenges with her back. This past Sunday, she was in so much pain that it was extremely hard for her to get out of bed. Well, I had to make a decision; let my oldest stay with her and help or bring both boys with me to church and let her rest. I wrestled with the decision for a bit because I don't want them to miss church. At the same time I did not want my wife to be in need and no one be there for her. I decided to have my oldest stay with her. Before I left, I pulled him to the side and gave him very specific instructions. "Son, I want you to make sure that your play time is at a minimum and ensure that mommy is well taken care of. If she needs food, drinks, whatever, make sure she gets it." He said he was fine with that. Well, I take the youngest with me to church and choir rehearsal. After church, I returned home to see my beautiful wife looking a lot better. I asked her how she was doin
2 comments
Read more