Last week I started make plans with the kids for Memorial Day but then X indicated the kids wanted to get together for lunch. This affected the plans I was making with my parents who do not get to see the kids often enough. I changed plans I had started to make with my parent for a Monday gathering and then even had to alter my back up plans for Sunday because my son wanted to get together for a special occasion with my neighbor's son, a boy my son does not get to see very often because since his mom left my house.
Potential bitterness changed into Joy Bitterness and resentment lurked again especially when my kids said the "lunch" was not their idea (surprise). I prayed and then came up with a different plan that allowed my parents to hang out with me, my daughter and my sister and her kids for lunch and a game night (but during the day). We had a blast and then needed to end the gathering so I could take daughter to a birthday party for a school friend. At that point, my parents and my sister also left but we all had a good time, even if it was not the way we had originally planned it to be.
Laker party and fellowship (party #2 at C2H's) When I returned, my brothers from church started arriving to watch the Lakers game and to fellowship. My son arrived from his day with the neighbor to hand out with the guys, to eat and to yell at the TV as our team lost. Afterwards, the married guys had to leave and three of us single guys watch an extremely moving small budget movie based on a Christian message of honoring God with our lives and leaving the results to Him (the movie is "Fly Wheel," made by the people who later filmed "Facing the Giants").
The evening ended with one guy telling me how much he needed to see that movie and the three of us praying as our boys observed their fathers going before God for direction and the well being of the children. I took my son to his mom's house after that, came home, cleaned up some of the mess from back to back parties, and then slept like a baby.
What could have turned into a weekend of resentment segued into a weekend of great memories plus a day (today) to reflect, meditate and fellowship with God. My kids are with their mom today and I am fine with that. They know their dad loves them, works with the ups and downs created their mom's choices. They also know I very much love the life I am now living.
They know God handed me my job and has blessed me tremendously. They know I have friends who love the Lord and even call them "my gang." They have seen me forgive, pray for their mom and her husband and know that I am trusting God for everything.
Oh, by the way, the other two guys who stayed until the end and watched the movie with me are also praying about going to Spain so we are going to encourage each other to see what God has in mind for us. (6 months minus 5 days and counting)
Ahora, yo voy a cantar canciones de alavados a mi Slavador. Translation: and now, I am going to sing songs of praise to my Savior. (I believe that's what I wrote, either that or "I am now going to sing drunken sailor songs" I hope it is the former )
Committed2Him- "C2H" All Things (Back from Spain!)...18
I hope it is the former 
)