A couple of years ago I allowed my daughter to move back in with me. I had been alone for awhile and was becoming accustomed to my solitude so I didn’t know how this would turn out but I knew what my response should be when she asked me.
The Lord had prepared me for this before it even happened. He had given me reason to pause and reflect when I read Isaiah 58:7.
“Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless, Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.”
I don’t have a lot of money so I could not help my daughter out in that way but what I do have is a house large enough to give shelter to my children and I. The Lord has been gracious enough to place me in a neighborhood which I love and He has blessed me with a house which is spacious enough that we are not running into each other on a daily basis.
When she moved in I was concerned because we had not been very close during her teenage years. Sometimes I have shook my fist at God and become angry with Him when my daughter and I get into an argument. I have told Him that I stood on this verse and I expected things to be better than they were at the time. What was He thinking to put a verse like that in the Bible?
That was the wrong response. What I should have done is prayed and said, “God right now my daughter and I are not getting along very well but I know that allowing her to move in with me was based on your Word and I ask that you intervene in this situation and let your love shine through. I have faith that if I continue to abide by Your Word that you will bless this decision because You are a righteous and Holy God.”
Then there are times that are so precious that I want to bronze the moment and set it on my mantle. My daughter can get me giggling so easily and she is so precious sometimes.
Last night was one of those times. She came home to tell me she had gotten a promotion at work and was now a sales manager for the Michael Korr’s store she works at. She also said she had six exams this week and she had gotten amazing grades on the five she had taken already. It seemed as if my daughter was wearing the favor of God as if it was a magnificent robe. I was so proud of her and how far she has come over the past several years. She has worked so hard and been so diligent.
I was reflecting on my daughter this morning. I have observed her with fascination since the day that she was just a toddler. She has such a unique way of solving problems. Like with her promotion: her store needed a manager because their manager had gotten promoted and her and another college student suggested that they share the role and the company was smart enough to embrace that idea. They had never done this before but they were willing to try because of their faith in my daughter and the other successful young lady. She has done things like this before and last night I told her that she was a “trailblazer.”
As I was thinking about her this morning I realized what a blessing it has been for me to give her shelter. I thank God that I can trust her. She does borrow some things from me but she does not steal. I also praise God that she has not fallen into the bondage of drugs. If she had, I do not know that I would be willing to give her shelter. I have began to realize that I have been so blessed and favored by God to allow her to live with me. I have had the most wonderful opportunity to hear her rejoice when God has blessed her and I have tried to comfort her and give her wise counsel when she has been beset with difficulties.
I did not consider when I allowed her to move back in that it may be a most wonderful decision for me. I just knew that I had to abide by God’s Word.
I know without a shadow of a doubt that God cherishes my daughter. He truly loves her in a very special way.
It is such a privilege to be able to show her in such a small way how much I love her and I know and believe that God will do wonderful things through this special time when I am providing shelter for her.
There is no better way in life than to abide by the Word of God in each and every step we take.
