Update....

Today I prayed, as I sat on the curb with my neighbor, “Lord Jesus, help to know what to say to this woman, and help me to have the kindest spirit in the world”. Why would I pray those words in that moment?

This is a family that has caused me great pain and suffering. Last night I lay in bed, my husband asked me to just smile and I could not even find that for him. My heart has ached over the situation with the neighbors. Watching as their children are running muck, or not being supervised. Read a few blogs earlier for greater details.

Today I had two friends over for a big outside play date. Ten kids in all, riding bikes, tractors, toys on our nice little street. Her children arrived. I could feel my blood boil as her garage door opened and there in plain view a table saw, on the ground plugged in. I boiled as I realized I could not supervise her children today. Not today or any day. The other mom’s and one dad all felt the anxiety I have felt ever single day as they now had to protect their own children from harm.

I went to her door and so politely said that this is not okay. I showed her the saw and said there are all these kids, and this is eye candy, and she put her door down, pulled her kids in and our play date continued. Within a few minutes her six year old is now pressed against a screen from a second story window. I looked at the dad and he said we have to say something. We would all feel guilty if that kid falls out that window. So up her walk I went.

I told her that her son has all of us worried. I again invited her out for just a half hour. I even asserted myself a little more and said that it’s so hard to know your kids know we are all out here and they can’t. Please just take a half an hour to bring your children out.

She did and I introduced her to everyone, offered her children lunch, as I had plenty of leftovers and we all small talked and chit chatted. My friends had been over for a few hours and kids needed naps. So soon they all left and there I was with her alone for the very first time. And for this reason I prayed.

I felt lead to ask very specific questions of the heart, tears poured down her cheek as she shared. Her life is not easy. With each question she opened up and shared, without any hesitation. I felt I was lead by God, because I don’t think I can come up with this stuff on my own, and she freely shared.

So today, I ask all of you who read my blog to lift this family up in prayer. Put a little post-it on your frig. and pray that our family would/could somehow be a support in the best way that we can. I think today will be the first time in four weeks that I can pause and no longer be frustrated, but rather know how to pray for a family that so desperately needs it.

Thanks for your comments of support and wisdom. We still need to be on alert for the safety of our kids and I feel more comfortable going over and saying…hello, but could you……….We have an awesome God that is for sure!!