Yesterday was a difficult day for my family. My son brought up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego early in the morning, and we read their story before we left the house. I reminded him that Jesus would be standing with His arms around us, just as He did in the blazing furnace. We held hands and prayed in the car-we prayed for mercy and we received it, though not in the manner we had preferred. God's will, not ours. My son will be in jail for the next 180 days (maybe fewer, with good time) and I will be alone in my house for the first time since 1998.
I pray that he is not scared. I pray that he is safe. I pray that he uses this time of solitude to pray and read the word and build a strong foundation for himself with Jesus Christ.
I didn't know what to do with myself last night so I made a gratitude list. I'm grateful: that he was "caught" early and didn't continue to have to fight these demons, that he understands his crime and feels the shame that he should be feeling before he is able to grow from this, that he didn't go to state prison and could possibly be home before Christmas, that he didn't kill himself before sentencing, that we have supportive friends and family who love us, that I have a chance now to focus on myself and my own growth, that God still reins and He is a Good Father who loves us mercifully and unconditionally.
