Tammy On Tuesday ~ When things get turned upside down

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The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9

Have you ever gone into something having no idea that God is about to turn it all upside down? Abby started high school just yesterday. When she got home from school, she told us all about her classes and which of her friends were in each of them. She was also delighted to say that she would be with most of them at lunch. She seemed pretty satisfied with the changes that high school brought since the changes had not totally separated her from her middle school social network.

Over the summer Mark and I have tried to mentally prepare her for what high school would bring. We told her that there would need to be less socializing and that she would need to really buckle down on her studies. We expressed that high school would begin to get her ready for her direction in college and in life.

So, last night my family attended the Freshman BBQ at the school. Loud music played over the sound system. Booths were set up providing information on a variety of clubs and opportunities they could get involved in. I looked around and realized she’s not my little baby anymore.

PINIMAGEPINIMAGEBefore long, Abby scooted off with her friends and I bumped into other parents I knew. While talking with them, each parent told me about the extra-curricular activities their children had joined: volleyball, band, football and more. I thought to myself, “Abby’s not signed up for anything”…maybe that’s because I hadn’t seen a booth for “social networking”. That, I’m sure, would’ve been her choice.

No extra-curricular…This can’t be good.

I often find myself whispering prayers to God that don’t have much form or structure. “God, does Abby need an extra-curricular activity? Am I blowing it as her parent?”

While I stood there pondering, I noticed Mark across the room talking with a gentleman at one of the booths. Come to find out, he was the chorus teacher. Abby had selected chorus as one of her electives but was not placed in that class.   Knowing Abby’s musical ability, Mark asked if it was too late for her to get involved. The chorus instructor told him if Abby really wanted to be in chorus, he could make it happen but we would have to decide before we left.
This was great news. Abby has a beautiful voice and she enjoys singing. We thought for sure that she would jump at the opportunity. When Mark found us, he was eager to share the good news with Abby. But…she didn’t seem too excited.

“Abby, he’s willing to work with us! He is willing to get you into chorus if you really want. We know you love to sing. We know you originally wanted to be in chorus. Why are you hesitant?”

Frantically, she began listing off which friends were in which classes. She told us if she joined chorus it might mess up the schedule she had already become happy with.  And she seemed adamant. I could see that her friends were the familiarity, the security blanket, she trusted in this huge school, in this big change in her life.

We didn’t want to MAKE her join chorus. We didn’t want to make her unhappy but we also didn’t want her to miss out on an important opportunity.

How would we convince her?

We decided to let the information sink in as we took a tour of the building and Abby’s classrooms. I thought it would be a good time for me to get my head on straight and figure out the best plan of action.

PRAY

I began praying. I texted my sister and asked her to pray. I told Mark to pray.

Once we were finished seeing the school I pulled Abby aside and shared my heart. While I spoke, I whispered a prayer inside for wisdom. To my surprise, Abby agreed to speak to the office about changing her third period class to chorus. She emphasized to me that she would do it as long as she could keep the rest of her classes pretty much the same.

Well, that shouldn’t be too difficult. Right?

The choir instructor led us to the registrar’s office where we expressed our interest in changing ONLY the third period class to chorus. She was happy to oblige.   I was thanking God in my heart that it was all going to work out.  However, things did not go as we expected.

She typed and typed for a while and then the verdict was given. “Ok, so I put you in choir third period as you requested. But the rest of your schedule will now ALL change.”

Wait, wait a minute! Did she say EVERYTHING is CHANGED? What about our request to change ONLY her third period class?!?

I calmly and casually asked how changing the third period class rearranged her whole schedule. I almost didn’t hear her reply – explaining full classes and conflicts – because I could only think about Abby.

I was afraid to look over at her as the women read off her new schedule. Finally I turned and could tell she was trying to get her emotions under control and keep a pleasant smile on her face.

I said, “Hun, I know that kinda changes everything for you.” KINDA???  Before I could continue, she graciously, quietly said, “That’s okay.”

We left the office and I found myself whispering to God again. “God, Abby seems so down. Couldn’t things have gone a little smoother in there? Couldn’t You have kept things somewhat intact so she wouldn’t feel so turned upside down?”

Then God whispered back to my heart, “Trust Me. I just did something mighty in your daughter’s life because of your ongoing prayers for her. Have you considered that everything may have needed to change?”

I pondered it. What if God had just single-handedly moved her from a really bad situation to one where He would bless and grow her? Could I count on that? Could I believe that?

This morning, as I opened my eyes, my first thoughts were of Abby. Would she begin to get angry when she got to school and the reality set in that she would not be with her friends? Would she be frustrated that we stepped in and encouraged her to get out of her comfort zone? Would she feel blessed or would she feel that everything is ruined?

As I type this, I can’t say what today will hold. She’s there now, walking the halls, finding her new classrooms. I can only say that my trust and my hope are in the Lord.

I came down to my quiet place this morning while everyone slept and the very first verse I read was this:

But the Lord is faithful. He will establish ( to start or set up something; to place something permanently; to confirm truth of something) you and guard you against the evil one.  2 Thessalonians 3:3

God was speaking yet again. Comforting, encouraging, urging me to trust Him.
And I do.