Firmly Rooted

Our girl continues to struggle as do I.  We have had a few bumps as Deveraux continues to navigate her feelings about school.  I want answers.  I want to know all the reasons she is struggling (so I can solve it).  I want to take away her pain (like when she doesn't eat her banana at school because she couldn't peal it or a class mate says "yucky" about the kind of cheese she brings).  I want to not stress about the next morning or the next time we leave each other (because it pains me).  And I want to know if we should change our course somehow (but get confused about my motives and what is the "right" response).  Yet, I want to listen to what I feel and heed the conviction.

It is not peaceful right now. 

I do not want Deveraux to experience anxiety in her childhood, it was a close unwanted "friend" of mine. 

I just want her to know much happiness, joy, and fullness of life right now.  I cannot protect her from all hardship, she has those kinds of days at home as well.  However, there is a kind of protection that can be offered at home at this time in her life that can never be again.  I know days are coming that bring some much more with them.  But I want those days to wait. 

It is interesting the feet on this beautiful angel pictured above... (cemetery in Natchez).  I never noticed her feet.  Her face is what originally caught me.  She has feet that do not match the rest of her, maybe she is standing firm, standing strong...feet that are rooted. 

Rooted feet.  No matter which way the wind blows, a course is set, and followed with conviction.

Rooted feet that are firm because you have been walking with Jesus as a friend, a Father, a confidant.  He is the next breath, not because you "have to" or you should but because you want to and you can't imagine going anywhere else. 

Just as i missed the feet, I don't want to miss Deveraux in this time.  I desire Godly wisdom for Andrew and I as we sort through (sometimes on a different page) what the best direction for Dev is during this hour, this time. 

"Therefore just as you have received Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude."  (Colossians 2:7)