Kathy,
I certainly understand your concern and would have same myself. As I read
I, having a suspicious mind anyway, was sensing potential for a butter job.
Let me just interject this thought, or rather perhaps invite you to do a
little forward thinking for which there is no need to reply at all, just to
project in advance. Let's say it is Christmas Eve and Chris is on his way
to spend the night, church or no church, even, just that he is coming to
spend the night and next day with you guys. How does that make you feel?
Then let's look at the fact of it is four days before Christmas Eve, Chris
calls and says he can't make it cause he is scheduled to work and won't be
able to spend the night but can only come on Christmas day for an hour or
two for dinner and exchange a gift or two. How does that make you feel?
Now having looked at two possible scenarios, which can you live with and
enjoy the holiday the most? Which can you find less intrusive of the
celebration and time with family? Again no need to answer here, but I find
that sometimes when dealt with a situation or potential situation, it is
easier to just visualize the day is here in any situation and that
sometimes help gives time and insight to prep or handle the situation. That
doesn't mean it is completely settled as guilt of not wanting Chris there
or feeling relieved he can't make it might be present if he doesn't come,
or the opposite situation would have it's own conflicted emotions. I like
to look at two extremes in a situation, find a solution to each, and then
look at a probability between them when ever possible.
Brad
At 07:32 AM 12/17/2005 -0500, you wrote:
> Hi guys,
>
> Well, we've heard from Chris again. He called yesterday evening
>from his girl friends house. We discussed plans for Christmas. He
>said that he would like to come home for the night, Christmas
>eve. He also said that he is willing to come to church with us for
>our traditional Christmas eve service and he may also be interested,
>or willing to attend church with us Christmas day. He also
>apologized, again for the way that he used to treat us.
> I know that all of this sounds good, but I'm not getting my hopes
>up. Chris can be a really smooth talker and very manipulative. He
>may be sincere, he also may be trying to sweet talk us into
>something, or he may be in real trouble and is trying to smooth the
>way before we find out. He was suspended from school, for a day, on
>Thursday, for swearing at a teacher and throwing around his
>things. I think that it is starting to get rougher out there for
>him. He doesn't have us to take his stress out on any more. To my
>knowledge, his wallet has still not been returned and that has to
>continue to bother him as well.
> This must sound like such a sick and twisted message. I guess that
>most people would think that I'd be thrilled to have all my children
>home for Christmas, and maybe all in church. However, HallMark isn't
>writing the script for my Christmas gathering. "Anything could
>happen and that's why I"m letting you guys know. I need prayer that
>my Christmas will be okay. I mean, I think things like, if Chris
>doesn't go to church with us next Sunday morning, do we let him stay
>home alone with the presents? What a mess! I want to rejoice, but
>it will take a lot of prayer and leaning on the Lord for this one.
> Pray that I will hold on to the belief and hope that this will be
>another opportunity to show Chris God's love, as I did before he left
>by washing his clothes and keeping his room neat and clean. Please
>pray that the Lord will protect the day, in our house, that the
>prince of peace will truly reign here and that steps will be forged
>toward reconciliation between us and Chris, and Chris and his
>savior. Wouldn't the repentant heart of a wayward son be a wonderful
>Christmas present?
>Kathy
Brad
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