My
only qualification is that I have raised six children who have turned out to be
pretty decent human beings
My 24 year old, single daughter just took a business trip to a large city. She discovered that a popular musical that she has never seen was playing in that city for a fraction of what it would cost in her hometown. Great! Then she announced that she was going alone, at night, in a strange city. Not great!
Let me give you some background. When I was thirteen (and I looked about ten) a man followed me home from school, twice. The second time, he accosted me, got all up in my grill and through gritted teeth said he was going to murder me. I will never forget his face or what he was wearing.
The police were called, descriptions were given and I had a police escort for the next two weeks. They never found him. The whole experience scarred me.
I refused to let it stop me living my life - I went to college, I lived abroad twice, alone, as a young adult, and traveled abroad, BUT it did make me hyper-sensitive to my own safety and wherever possible I never went out alone at night.
So when my daughter informed me of her plans, I was seized with a panic that sprang from my own past experience. But she is 24. I could not forbid her to go. I could not even suggest that she not go. I will not let my fears infect my kids and besides she's an adult. So I faked it. I pretended to be excited for her when all the while that voice in my head was screaming that it was dangerous.
I am a religious person and as I was pretending not to worry (by the way she did not buy my act but she appreciated the effort!) I was praying my little heart out for the Lord to protect my girl. He came through for me in a big way! As she left the theater to catch the train, two middle-aged women were waiting with her; when she got to the station by her hotel a policeman was hanging out at the station and could see her as she walked back to her hotel.
Now, I could have blown this whole thing. I could have criticized her decision and undermined her new-found independence as a college graduate, already living away from home, who had just landed a great new job that lets her travel to conferences. That would have damaged our relationship.
Instead, I reined in my terror, prayed like her life depended on it, and let her fly.
Romans 1:9 'without ceasing I make mention of you always in my
prayers;'
