It is a prayer that I never thought I would pray . . . but I am praying it. “Lord, help Emily and Drew’s house to sell quickly.”
You see, several weeks ago I was having dinner at Jim Dandy with Emily, along with Aiden and Leah. We had just gotten our food when I made a comment about it being so nice just to call Emily and have an impromptu meal. Our family has been eating at Jim Dandy for over fifty years. Four generations.
I had just taken a bite when Emily responded with, “Funny that you should say that, Drew accepted a new job today . . . we will be moving to Tampa.”
Having a mouth full of food allowed me time to chew and process the news. Emily and I aren’t just mother and daughter. We are friends. If you have been reading my thoughts that I have written for the past eleven years then you know that the day after I took her to college at Indiana State, I was admitted to the hospital with chest pains. ISU is only two hours away. Now Emily will be sixteen hours away. So will six year old Aiden and four year old Leah and my son-in-law Drew, who I love as well.
I saw the excitement in my daughter’s eyes. I heard the joy of adventure in her voice. I smiled and told her, “Well, we have lots of stuff to get done.” She said the biggest request she had of me was . . . “Mom, please pray that the house sells quickly so we can get down to Tampa before school starts.”
And so I began to pray, words of a prayer I had hoped would never be said.
A couple of Sundays ago I stood in church and as I sang the worship songs, I began to wipe tears. Every song seemed to speak to my heart about surrender. I believe God has plans for each and every one of us. I wanted my plans for Emily to be part of God’s plan, to keep her near me. It doesn’t always work that way.
When I arrived home I noticed the framed quote on my kitchen counter. It was from one of my first columns that I wrote many years ago.
“God writes a much better story than we ever could . . . if only we trust Him with our pen.” I heard a question in my head. “But do you trust me with Emily’s pen?”
I wiped more tears as I had an amazing peace come over me. I smiled and I knew that I could pray the prayer that Emily asked me to pray.
“Lord, help the house to sell quickly.” Now we wait.
I am soaking in every moment I have with them. Yes, we often go to Tampa as Chuck’s sons and their families live there. Our time together will be very intentional.
I see God opening doors as well as windows as He works out all the plans beyond what we could ever pray for. Emily had no idea that her job would be able to transfer her to Tampa.
In the next few months, I will have my moments. You will have to bear with me as I help Emily and Drew pack up their Indiana stuff and I see the taillights of the moving van pull out of their driveway. Tampa bound. My thoughts always make their way to my writing.
My heart strings will be stretched but they will never break.
When I rocked my baby Emily, some thirty five years ago, I sang her lullabies and said many prayers over her. I still pray one of them,
“Lord, please keep my daughter safe and guard her footsteps . . . wherever your plans take her.”