 |
It's All About Him
By Diane E. Robertson
 |
| Diane Robertson |
Amanda and I have attended church all her seventeen years. She also went to a Christian school and hung out with that same crowd. However, life changed when she found a part-time job at the library. That's where she met and began dating David.
"Mom, give him a chance," she blurted out when I asked about him at breakfast one morning. "He treats me better than most of the Christian guys I know."
"But he doesn't even go to church, and he has no personal relationship with Jesus."
"We just have a good time together. David is a gentleman. He's kind, and is interested in getting to know me."
"Amanda, I don't want you dating him. You never know what might happen down the road."
Her eyes flashed with anger as she left the table. "You're too much, Mom."
"I just want what's best for you."
"Yeah. Sure." She ran out of the kitchen, but not before I could see the tears in her eyes.
I felt a mixture of emotions—fury, hurt, disappointment and confusion. How could she make such a choice? Until recently I felt proud of her.
I had always struggled to achieve a balance between over-protecting and letting go. It wasn't easy being a single Mom, yet Amanda and I had bonded in a special way because it was just the two of us. It's time to let her try her wings, but how can I allow my only daughter to go against the values I've worked so hard to instill? David might be a nice guy, but he's not a Believer.
I went to work and did my best to forget all this. At 4:00 pm I arrived home and began to prepare dinner when Amanda phoned. "Mom, Sue invited me to have dinner at her house. Can I go? I'll be home around eight."
"All right." When I put the phone down, it occurred to me that she might be lying. Was she really going to Sue's house? Or was she going to spend time with David? I burst into tears and fell to my knees right there in the kitchen. "Please, Lord, help me. I can't even think straight. What should I do?"
That was when He said it. You're not showing them Me.
I lay on the cold floor for a few minutes, trying to figure out what He meant. I finally pulled myself up and put our untouched dinner into the refrigerator. Heading into the living room, I flopped onto my favorite chair and meditated on His words. "Make them clear to me, Lord."
In His gentle way God told me, "It's not about you." For the next half hour, He impressed upon me that it's all about showing people the heart of Jesus.
"Lord, I'm sorry. So far, I haven't been such a good example for either my daughter or her boyfriend. Jesus loved and honored everyone. Please help me to model Him. If I plant the seed, will you do the rest? I already knew the answer though. I spent the rest of the evening in prayer.
Amanda arrived home at eight o'clock, and the house was in darkness.
"What's wrong?" she asked as she flicked on a light.
I motioned to the chair across from me. "Sit down, honey."
She looked scared as she unbuttoned and slipped off her coat. Then she took a seat and waited.
"I'm sorry," I began as I looked deep into her eyes. "That was wrong of me to disregard your feelings toward David. You'll graduate from high school in the spring, and I've done my best to teach you right from wrong. I respect your judgment." I took a deep breath. "If you feel so strongly about him, and think he's worth all this, then I'd like the opportunity to know him too."
"I'm blown away, Mom. This isn't like you at all."
She was so right. Thank You for Your wisdom, Heavenly Father. "How about if we invite him to dinner this Friday?"
Her eyes got big for a few seconds before she said, "Okay."
Friday evening felt strained at first. All three of us seemed to chew our salads for an extra-long time. But we finally relaxed during the vegetable lasagna, and talked easily by the time we finished the apple pie I'd made.
Later, as we all cleaned up the kitchen David asked, "Can I go to church with you this weekend, Amanda?"
"Sure," she answered.
Lord, You're awesome, I shouted silently.
We all attended church together that weekend. David enjoyed the service, and continued to accompany my daughter after that. A month later he gave his heart to the Lord. Not long after that he joined Amanda's youth Bible study group. He hasn't missed a class yet. On the day he became baptized in front of the church body, I couldn't help but remember how I'd almost stopped this from happening.
I praise You, Abba Father, for speaking to my heart that night, and urging me to show them You.
Now, a year later, David and Amanda are planning their wedding, and I am thrilled. My daughter was right when she said he deserved a chance.
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for being the perfect example.
______________________________
|
|
 |
|
 |
Personal Growth
Answers For Me
Bible Bay
Bibleinfo.com
Discover
Study Guides
GraceNotes
It Is Written
ScripShot
Story Songs
Image Gallery
Story Videos
|
 |
