This My Hope

Good morning. I miss you all. But I am estranged from you. Clinton’s words remain to put a rift between us. I haven’t heard from him.

And there is still a hurt here in my heart. You are my Daughter, we’ve been through so much. We love one another.

My error – I think – is that I chose a text message to share my disillusionment. I needed to understand.

I thought we worked it out. There was still more to talk about, but you’d helped me to see things in a different light.

Then you and Clint went on a date night. And his reaction to whatever you talked about was to send me yet another insolent, hurtful email.

I have been once again wondering what to do, and I’ve been waiting upon the Lord.

I’m sorry if something about me caused you to feel you needed an intermediary. But I also accept that this is the paradigm.

However,  his lack of communication with me, leaves us at an impasse.

In my case, I am married to a difficult woman. And I’ve tried many things over the years, but lately something I’m doing is resulting in wonderful, powerful things.

Matthew 7:1-6

I have first of all been listening to what God would say to me. Who I am, my identity as a child of God.

All my goals, all of my wishes about Cheryl and my marriage, her impact on my extended family, the clutter that we are buried in… there’s lots more, I’ve placed in HIS hands.

I wait, I take each “complaint” and I do what Matthew 7:1-6 says.

I pray and I wait.

I listen all the time to what he would have me do, and say what he would have me say to say. 

Many times now, an example is from the other day when she came downstairs from getting dressed, God said “say this now”

And I told her how beautiful she was. She melted, in a quiver, and dang near blushed. But she didn’t push my love away. I was on the other side of the room. She didn’t run across the room to me, but she received my love.

So I’ve yet again inhabited what it I’m calling listening-obedience. It has permeated my life, beyond my relationship with her.

Hebrews 5:11-14

Just like Jesus.

John 5:19, 5:30, 8:28, and 12:49-50

And the words of Isaiah have come true for me.

Isaiah 30:19-22

God has given me the exact thing to say or do, and miracles have been happening, first in me, then in each of these two I am lovingly raising up. And in the lives of the others around me, at work, in my community, our church, and even when I’m buying / selling stuff through fb marketplace.

There’s lots to share, all in his perfect timing.

The Old Testament frame that comes to mind is how Ishmael and Isaac… well you can google it >

“The Bible distinguishes the births of Ishmael and Isaac through their origins and spiritual significance, often contrasting human effort with divine intervention.”

But for now, I have been waiting, and today I believe he has asked me to reach out to you. 

Revelation 12:10-12

Sarah, as your father, I invite you to go to God and work things out. Philippians 2:12

I do not want you to speak to Clinton about this, I am speaking to YOU about this. Loving father, to loving daughter. I believe in your love for me.

I really do love you so much. 

Jamie, Sarah, Nicholas and Cherish are my children. They belong to God. They belong around a table with me, united in Love, breaking bread together. 

Hebrews 11:1

This is the miracle of God that I am bringing to you.

I say this as a father, that I will no longer settle for the alienation of my children from one another, nor from me, nor from God.

My prayer is that God sanctifies you and me for this work that I am asking you to join with me. Indeed you are the inspiration for this. I’ve been listening to God for a very long time, and praying… and obeying.

1 John 1:9

Psalm 139:23-24

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

God’s word is clear: Love one another.

We are his dwelling place.

Ephesians 2:19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Listen in your heart now. 

I trust in God.

I love you with all my heart.

“ Father God, I am sharing my heart with my daughter Sarah whom I love with all my heart. God, I pray that you will land these words in your heart with love and gentleness, that she will feel an invitation, and that she will feel no condemnation. Father let her see not a clenched this, but a hand that is out stretched for her to take hold of, Lord we need to love each other and to love these around us with your love. God you have not settled for us, you have redeemed us! You’ve called us by name to turn and follow you. Repentance is to change our way of thinking, Lord! I stand ready to hear what you would have to say to me, father, as always. I pray that these words only have written will be brought to Sarah in such a way as to bring her peace and hope and love.”

Matthew 11:28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”