Personal Journal

I recently went through a situation that many of you have probably experienced. I received some exciting news and a day later disappointment. God opened a door for me, then quickly shut it. I first thought Satan is messing with me. He very well could have been. I began to look past the closed door and think “Why would God do such a thing?”

I prayed over this situation. Something wasn’t right. I had an unsettled feeling. I went back and looked at all the correspondence. We have a tendency to stop reading when it says “I am sorry, but . . .” I read further and found that I had been given an opportunity to go behind the scenes and still participate in this huge event.

God never closes a door without opening another. I almost missed the blessing. I was so focused on the closed door, I did not see that God was leading me around to the back door. He is testing you, to see how you react. Will you give up, quit or settle?

You should always check the back door to see if it’s open.

Lea Ann

There is an instance in my book “Seasons Once Upon My Innocence” Where Aubree an eighth grader was attached. The outcome was upsetting to some readers and praised by others. When something like this happens in a young teen, they are overwhelmed with fear and guilt.

For Aubree (the character in my book) she was playing all the different outcomes. What happens if she tells? She would cause pain and hurt to her friends, the family of the predator would be ruined, she would be treated differently, and people would look at her as if she were dirty. She also considered what she herself would lose, her best friend, she would lose the opportunity for an event she and her friends had trained over several months. Would she be letting her friends down and would they be mad at her? Would anyone even believe her? Should she tell her parents? What will they do to him? Will Randy or Clyde get charged with assault? She was thinking “could I handle all of this.”

On the other hand. What if he were to do this to someone else? He should pay for what he has done. He should have consequences for his actions. His family should know what he has done. The community has a right to know. Should she put him in jail and on trial?

If we had three hands, the third hand would be. He is a Christian who made a mistake. God convicted him of his mistake immediately. He went to the God for forgiveness. Is it that simple? Is God just going to forgive him and expect me too?

I guess you will have to read to find out what Aubree decided. The moral of the story is these things happen more than you think. Our children are put into adult situations where their innocence is taken from them. We as parents must give our children a firm foundation in Christ to help them when we can’t be there. Aubree prayed about it, talked with her parents and made the best decision for her situation.

The decision you make with your child might be different. Make sure your children are comfortable enough to come to you. It is important you include your child in the decision. You will not always be there to make the decision for them. Teach them, love them, listen to them and guide them.

Blessings
Lea Ann

Personal Journal

When we are hurt so deeply, we want nothing to do with that person ever again. We are often hurt by the ones we love the most. The key word is “love”, that is when it cuts so deep. If you loved them once, you love them now. You can not just turn love on and off like a light switch.

When love turns to hate, it never leaves you alone. The pain is there in a restaurant, a song or a place. You can not get away from it. Maybe, your constant reminder of the relationship is God trying to tell you to forgive.

I knew a man who had a close bond with his best friend of 30 years. The two would get a feeling when there was trouble and go and support. The families took trips together and shared wonderful memories.

So what happened? I believe it was a business deal gone wrong. Both were prideful and stubborn. Years went by, the man thought a lot about his friend and continued to tell funny stories from their friendship. He said he forgave, but he still would not call. He missed his best friend and I am assuming his best friend missed him as well. A few more years past the man had a second child, this time he didn’t share it with his best friend.

One day, the man told me “Something is wrong with my best friend, I can feel it.” I told him to call. The man went in and surfed the internet for answers. Still too stubborn to call. He found that his best friend had died. The man became angry and remorseful that he had not reached out to him earlier and now it was to late.

This man could tell me countless stories of fun, laughter, joy, and the support for each other. He could only tell me ONE story of hurt. Don’t let that ONE event destroy a friendship.

If you attempt make things right and the person is unwilling. At least you tried and then you will save yourself the pain of regret in the end.

Find a way to mend the fences.

Blessings
Lea Ann