Last week, I was supposed to send an email to you all. But I could not think of what to write. It wasn't a case of writer's block as much as it was writer's blank. I had nothing. Blank.
As I pondered how deep the writing abyss was last week, I suddenly remembered this. Now, bear with me as I once again tell about how much I'm learning from God via Caden. Someday he will read the things that I've written my parenting journey with my middle child, I hope that he too will be encouraged and not rolling his eyes with a "Mom, really?" response.
When we last left Caden, he had just returned from Lakeside Bible Camp on Whidbey Island with his Goodwill sleeping bag and suitcase. What a great week it was for him! He enjoyed the "boy-centric" activities, made some new friends, learned some Bible verses, was inspired by the music and is already planning to go back next year. What an answer to prayer! I can't even express how much.
Before I move on, I need to back up a little (or a lot) to 2018. Caden was in first grade and struggling. We didn't even know all that he was experiencing, but later learned it was centered around some sensory issues and executive functioning challenges. At the time, I was reading The Healing Light with my Union prayer group and I was applying many of the principles that I was learning, mainly being open to what the Spirit could do and trusting that it would be done according to God's will. I was praying in faith and praying without knowing the answers.
Over the years, we have continued to experience challenges as Caden has grown and worked to address how to become the "best Caden he can be". I do know one thing for certain, his journey has made me a better person. God has used him for that purpose. So, as I thought about the prayers I prayed in 2018, arms lifted over little six-year-old Caden as he slept in his big queen size bed, it occurred to me that those prayers are being answered now. Following his camp experience, he desires to listen to praise music on his Spotify channel and is trying to learn them on piano. He wants to sing at church and he is growing more confident in himself as he starts middle school. I didn't know how God would work in 2018 and I probably would have expected a different path over these past years. But this path he is on and these answer are good because they are God's way.
Not to say that I'm letting up on praying. We have not arrived and so prayers continue. There are many more days ahead when I will need God's guidance, strength, answers and help as I parent and grow in my own faith. But in this moment six years later, I'm encouraged that answers do come. Life is abundant and pouring into Caden. The Lord continues to hear, deliver. and care. Just like the Psalmist said. I'm grateful for the promises in Psalm 34 and hope the ancient words and Caden's story encourage you, too.
Psalm 34:17-19 (NLT)
17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 The righteous person may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all;