In My Daughters’ Eyes

This weekend was such a crazy busy one, full of activity and really little time to sit and reflect.  And this song happens to be the epitome of it…

You see, this weekend was all about my daughters.  Saturday found us rising at the crack of dawn to prepare for the big day…the Dance Recital.  Between dress rehearsal, a few errands for some “unmentionables,” lunch, the performance, dinner with family and friends, and a movie at home there was barely time to breathe.  I found myself exhausted and caught somewhere between tears and laughter through it all.

2 years ago this very day, I was in attendance physically, but I don’t remember a thing.  The day of the recital that year was at the end of a drug binge that left me in an “active blackout”.  Unfortunately, I was walking and talking, but there are days of no memory for me…nothing.  The day after the recital in 2011, I was admitted for a stay at the Valley where I was given a chance to begin withdrawing from lots of medications and really was the beginning of saving my life.

I remember that week following while I was in the hospital.  My husband continued to come see me as hard as it was for him.  Once I was through active withdrawal, we gave our daughters the option of coming to see me.  And, honestly, I didn’t know if they would or not.  I had not given them much of a reason to want to see me.  But, thank the Lord, I was clear minded enough to not demand something from them that only the Lord could work out in their hearts.  Eventually, they all decided that they wanted to come see me, but it was not without hesitation on their part.

This year, 2013, I was not only able to be at the recital…I actually danced with my middle child in the mother/daughter dance.  We danced to the “Boot Scootin Boogie,” but “In My Daughter’s Eyes” was a number about halfway to where we danced.  I must say that after watching and listening to that one, I wasn’t sure I could continue.  Thanks to the dad’s for being the comic relief I needed!  I was filled with such emotion…some tears of regret and sorrow for things lost, but mostly tears of joy for the picture of forgiveness and redemption I see in my daughters’ eyes.

You see, the Bible talks about restoration in so many different ways, but I have seen it firsthand…in my daughters’ eyes.

For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord…..Jeremiah 30:17

I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten,You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you.  And my people shall never again be put to shame.  Joel 2:25-26

 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.   Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.   For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets.  Acts 3:19-21

Boy, oh boy…have I felt and seen that refreshment and restoration through Christ!

While I was rejoicing for things that once were lost and now are found, the sorrow I was feeling was not only for my family, but for a dear family struggling much like my family was struggling two years ago.  Mom has checked out on her children and husband and is currently in a treatment facility.  Her middle child, a cute little girl and dear friend to one of my daughters, performed on Saturday.  Through the music that day and the performance of this child, I was so reminded of where I was two years ago and what I could have lost.  And quite frankly, I wanted so badly to talk to this mom just so I could assure her that as long as there is breath in her body, there is that same chance for restoration in her life.  She just has to follow the instructions given to the believers in Acts…those instructions still apply to us today.  If we repent and turn to Him…the giver of life…not only is He faithful and just to forgive us our sins, but He will give us times of refreshment and ultimately final restoration!  If my life was for nothing more, I only hope those around me can see a life restored through the Messiah!