I once asked the internet a serious question . . .
What is the best course of action for a teenage girl (14) who suddenly loses her father to another woman.
Of course, I’m the mom. After 17 years married to the man I respected no matter what, a man who professed Jesus Christ as his personal Savior as I am, and this was our top priority while dating, all on one day, he was snatched away by a woman he dated 40 years earlier with a high powered job and a hefty monthly income. In a secular sense, I was not able to compete. In a spiritual sense, it was like a sudden blow of a baseball to the face. But I knew I could not afford to grieve. I needed to act quickly to provide for my devastated daughter and make the right choices for her emotional and physical future.
Over five (5) years later, the internet was right......
- Get your teenage daughter christian counseling
- Lose whatever is necessary to secure the family home
- Make sure she continues in the school with her friends
- Shorten the divorce proceedings by bailing on items even if they are justifiably yours
- Crucify feeling sorry for oneself and accept the loss necessary for the teenager
- Always be nice and courteous to her father (this does not include the adulterous woman)
- Promote the teenage daughter to have a relationship with her father through forgiveness
- Sacrifice like Jesus.
I’m happy to say my precious daughter is a strong believer in Jesus Christ. She went on a missionary trip to South Korea. She attended christian honors summer camp throughout high school, a camp that was preserved for teenagers who completed biblical curriculum (she did it on her own). She graduated high school 4th in her class. Now she is finishing her sophomore college year in the Science and Math school at an excellent college. She is dating a wonderful Christian man with the same values - both are waiting until marriage to consummate the union. They are also waiting until they graduate to marry. They are in the same class.
Me, I’m not with anyone nor did I date even though I wanted to be in a God-fearing relationship. Me, I struggle with money but God continually provides even though I was very rich (I gave most of it up) while married. Me, I keep drawing on my faith to keep me going even when I sometimes yearn to go home to Jesus. Me, being 62 can be so lonely when no one else in your family are christians. Me, I continue to draw on God’s strength to help me bring the truth to little children as the director of Awana cubbies. Me, I continue to be what a Mom should be if I were married, a constant support and outlet for my daughter. An outlet that gives her freedom to seek support when she feels vulnerable and lost. Normal growing challenges as she makes more decisions.
It was the right thing to do. Jesus was the ultimate example. He sacrificed everything for us. And even when he was dying on the cross, he asked his friend to take care of his own mother. Nails in his feet and hands. Blood dripping down his face. His back torn to bits from a cat of nine tails, 39 lashes less one. Bearing the agony of all those in the crowd that were lost. Yet, making sure his mother would receive care.