Monday, September 23, 2013

The Unexpected Response

Son #2 and Baby Girl came home this past weekend, which made this mom quite happy. It was nice to set out four plates at the dinner table, and cook extra food, buy their favorite treats and just hang out with them. The only thing that would have made it better was if son #1 and my daughter-in-law were here, too (sooo looking forward to Thanksgiving!).

Anyhoo, I may have mentioned in the past that son #2 runs cross country for his college. He pretty much runs every day, rain or shine, blistering heat or below freezing temps (he has had icicles on his eyebrows before). He's very motivated and dedicated, which is a good thing, but I have to admit, his running gives me a bit of anxiety.

Some of his runs are on narrow streets with no sidewalks, and I have a mystery writer's brain, okay? I can imagine all kinds of bad scenarios in the blink of an eye. So, when he went out for a long run yesterday (I believe it was 13 miles or so), and didn't come back when I thought he would, I began to worry. Because we just moved, I worried about him getting lost in the surrounding area, and I worried about other things, too (no need to go into those). The later he was, the more my anxiety increased and my stomach churned. (BTW, he does wear a ROAD ID band when he runs, and if you have a runner in your life, I HIGHLY recommend them.)

So, I sent up a little prayer. Just your basic, "Please let him be okay, please if he's lost, help him find his way home" kind of thing.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

About a minute later, I heard a noise in the garage. I thought it was him (hurrah!), so I went to investigate and found the door leading from the garage into the house ajar, but no son #2. The wind must have blown the door open.

BUT just as I was pulling the door closed, I spotted son #2 blazing past the house, continuing on his run (he'd been "exploring"--ha!).

Ah. The door opening hadn't been the wind at all, but an answer to a plea. A "look, he's just fine, stop worrying so much" response to a prayer... A "thank you" just doesn't seem like enough gratitude in that kind of situation, does it?

The kids went back to school last night, and I'm back to planning dinners for two for a while. I can't guarantee I'll stop worrying so much, especially about my kids, but I'm going to try. No bets on how long that will last! After all, son #1 and my d-i-l are driving here from North Carolina for Thanksgiving...

Happy Monday, everyone.

4 comments:

  1. Loved this story. One of those "thank you" moments happened to me today with DD, and when it does it reinforces my belief that there's an angel ready to step in and give the reassurance we need. We just have to ask. Like I said, I got one of these this morning after praying for my daughter, and within 15 minutes got the double shot my faith needed. Great way to start a week. Thanks, Heather.

    BTW, if I don't hear another Nina book is coming soon I may have to send some quiet little prayers up for that too. You left us in a very interesting place with the last one. :)

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  2. It's nice to have those reassurances, isn't it, Joanie?

    As for Nina, there will be more! I just have a couple of other books to write first... :)

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  3. Thank God for those little reassurances us mama bears need! I love that he went "exploring" as if 13 miles isn't long enough?! Dang!

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