Relief?

"See,

I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared...

I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. 

I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run. 

I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanties and Hittites out of your way..."


I know that I stand on a very significant threshold in my development as a parent. Never before have I faced the challenges I do today.  I cling to God's promises in the words above begging him to act on my behalf.  I can easily hear the sound of God's provision - His victory sure, but the next two verses in Exodus seem to be a wet blanket on the whole situation.


"But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you.  Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land."  (Exodus 23:29-30).


As a parent of three teenage girls, I continue to encounter 'enemies' I never dreamed of and I am at great risk.  Yesterday was one of those days I would rather have stayed at home with the covers over my head.  In the middle of the day, I sent the follow text to my husband,  'My heart is so sad and heavy today.  I feel awful.  How can I do this?'  His response expressed a similiar feeling of desolation. 

How can I be prepared to face these challenges?  The scripture reminds me - one day at a time.

Choose to pursue a conversation bathed in peace and tranquility.

Be quick with an invitation to join me grocery shopping and talk.

Pursue time together at home - baking something sweet in my kitchen and be together.

Relief will come -  one small victory at a time. 

The outcome sounds lovely, but the interim is scary.