Roadblocks to Rome

This is a story of an unbelieving mother and her son who has never taken "No" for an answer.  This is also a story of how our God loves on His own, non-desiring children.  This is a story of joy packed in the middle of tremendous struggles.

Our second-born son Allen has never met a challenge that he didn't conquer by going over the top in achievements.  All you have to do is set a goal before him and he starts to run.  From a young age, he topped out every challenge he was given.  From Awana to sports to music to business achievements, there hasn't been a mountain he couldn't climb with a triumphant victory.

As mentioned in past post, I can see the enemy before me and many times forget the army behind me.

After my son's over-the-top engagement mentioned in my post http://janettessage.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-chihuly-day.html, last August the roadblocks became too hard to overcome in my head.  When he announced the wedding would be in Italy, I guarded my heart by resolving that I wouldn't see the wedding...  HE announced I would be there.  I promised to lose weight, which was just as big of hurdle as the trip would be.

Roadblocks to Rome

NO PASSPORTS FOR THE FOUR OF US
MONEY - PROVISION NEEDED - UNEMPLOYMENT WAS DRYING US OUT

SCHOOL WOULD HAVE TO BE MISSED BY BOTH BOYS

Son sent money for passports.  We were rejected twice and the process took double the amount of time it should have.  I continued to guard my heart with the anticipation of not going to the wedding.

He called, inviting ONLY the parents to join them at the courthouse.  Because the wedding would be officiated in another country, they would need to be "legally" married in the states as well.

Both sets of parents were giddy as we arrived at the Dallas Courthouse to see our children joined in marriage.  I felt so HONORED that they had allowed us to witness this event.  The icing on the cake was when both sets of parents, with 71 years combined in marriage, signed their marriage license.

I resolved at that time before the Lord that this was enough.  If I didn't get to Italy, I had been blessed to see the exchange of vows.

Our God is a Big God and He wasn't finished yet.

As the months of unemployment carried on longer and longer, so did my disbelief. Yes, God could take care of us and provide through the unemployment for our needs, but this trip wasn't a need.  Even up to the week before, I still didn't believe that I would see my son get married in Italy.

Ps. 37:4 - Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Oh, what little faith.  Oh, what a loving God. Oh, what a faithful son who was going to fulfill his promise to his mother.  Oh, the answers of so many friends' prayers.  This was to be a lesson to me on how God truly moves the roadblocks, even when we don't even have the faith of a mustard seed.

The story will continue...

Ephesians 3:20-21

New International Version (NIV)

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.