Pregnancy is not mentioned; school success is minimized; happiness is
hidden. There is a strong fear that attracting attention will lead to
negative repercussions, jealous relatives or malevolent spirits will
notice the good fortune and respond with curses.
After so many years, I fight the creeping insinuation of cultural
fears. We publicly prayed for sports to be part of Luke's adjustment
to RVA, and very unabashedly rejoiced that Luke made the JV soccer
team. He played his first game Saturday, a 1-1 draw. After the game
the boys were still full of energy and the joy of the game, so a
"friendly match" was organized to play a second unofficial round.
Luke was able to get out of his wing position which he does not
prefer, and be a midfield striker. He scored three goals, and had a
blast. The last time he dribbled down the field, though, it seems an
opponent in frustration clipped his knee from the side. Now he has
what may be a significant injury. We are not sure, very hard to tell
from this distance. Were we wrong to be so glad about soccer?
Yesterday I posted about the blessing of frequent communication.
Since then, not a single SMS has been able to leave my phone, I keep
getting the cryptic "no network support for messages". What? The
combination of knowing our kid is injured, and being powerless to
respond, is painful. Of course we are contacting his guardians by
email, and praying that this is just a bruise and not anything serious.
Much in my heart just wants to say: how much more? Can't we just fly
under the radar and be at peace? All this may seem trivial, but in the
context of grief and separation, and some hard times with people we
care about at home, it seems like Satan is on the attack.
The response of faith: God's truth abideth still, His Kingdom is
forever. I admit the posture of hiding sounds more appealing than the
posture of advance, so we need faith.
3 comments:
Hi Jennifer and Scott. I just wanted to let you know I will be in prayer about Luke's knee - how frustrating that he was injured at all, and now to find it difficult to get in touch with him via phone must be most upsetting. None of what you are dealing with sounds trivial at all to me, especially when coming from a mother's (and father's) heart. You guys could definitely use some time to fly under the radar and enjoy some peace, and my prayers are to that end. Being attacked by Satan is, I suppose, a compliment of sorts, in that it implies that your faith is of such significance that it matters enough to the Kingdom to be attacked, but that sometimes is small consolation when the attacks seem relentless and when your own children are involved. Your faith and tenacity to just face a "normal" day in Uganda continue to inspire and strengthen my faith. God bless - Cindy
Jennifer, I so appreciate you letting us in on the feelings behind your events. It is a private, personal glimpse of faith being tested, and how your quiet, intentional choice to believe brings such glory to God. The heavenlies long to know the grace you have experienced. They are learning through your lives.
Love, Lynn
Praying for Luke AND his family!!!
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