Tuesday, July 1, 2014

I N D E P E N D E N T


 
Elijah, Hope,
& Iina
A few years ago at a July 4th cookout, a dear Japanese friend asked me about Independence Day. After telling him we won the war against England for our independence, he waved his American flag and shouted, "Congratulations, you won!"  I'm not writing about The American Revolution, but I think about him every year during this holiday. 

As we celebrate our independence from a tyrant, we wave the flag and sing patriotic, or as my Mississippi music director says "patrotic," songs. We should  be proud of our independence as a nation. The road to independence wasn't easy.

My daughter, Hope, will be joining the Gamecock Gateway community where she'll take her 1st 30 hours at Midland's Tech but live in a residential hall, eat, study, play, and join a group on the campus of University of South Carolina.   South Carolina has a reputable Hospitality Management program, and her dream job is to become an event planner for Disney Company, of course. Preparing for her freshman year is time consuming, but luckily there's a group of exceptionally informative and organized contact people; in fact, I've enjoyed communicating with them.

orientation
I thought they enjoyed communicating with me, too, but April's "information" session hinted at something else. "We have a facebook page for Gamecock Gateway students.  Parents, you may look but not join our page."  Well, alright.  I felt slightly slighted.  April, May, and June, I continued to e-mail about the compass test, roommate assignment, dates, books, etc.  You know, all the things I need to control. A few weeks ago, Hope and I, as her supporter, attended Gamecock Gateway orientation. Apparently, I'm no longer in control.

 
Hear Ye, Hear Ye, On Wednesday, June 28, 2014 Gamecock Gateway made a declaration.






 
We the People of Gamecock Gateway, in Order to form a more independent Student, hereby establish communication only with students.  Student emails and phone calls shall consist of inquiries from their supporters (that would be the tyrant parents); in fact, supporters may reside in close proximity of the communication device and provide inquiries as to time, place, and manner, but we the People of Gamecock Gateway will only give our Yeas, Nays, and knowledge to students.  Supporters are welcome to read correspondence and are strongly encouraged to continue communication with students and secure Blessings upon them, but from henceforth, it is time for students to responsibly communicate with Gamecock Gateway to insure their independence until such time as a bill passes through the House of the Supporters.  At which time, it will be for the general Welfare of students for the supporter to offer coin for this bill.

My control of Hope's communication has ceased. I'm here to support Hope, but she is responsible for communication with the People of Gamecock Gateway. Her independence has been declared in preparation for the day she leaves the House of her Supporters.

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16

Last week, I wrote about heaven.  As much as I would like my grandparents and aunt to put in a good word for me, "hey, God, Katy says hello, thanks for the blessings, and will you forgive her sins?" That's not possible. I'm ultimately responsible for this communication. On earth, Jesus didn't say,"tell me what you want to say to My Father;" instead, He taught them how to communicate.  Then, He left a Helper for support. 

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. Romans 8:26 NLT

students & supporters
at information session
Do I have earthly supporters? Yes. In fact, I recently asked several friends to pray when I couldn't.  That's common in a season where dialogue is difficult. Supporters teach and guide us in our walk.  Eventually, though, we have to communicate independently even if our grandmother is a saint, our husband a deacon, and our brother a pastor. 
 
Jesus fought and won for us. No longer is it necessary to go through man to talk to God. We're on our own and free to approach His throne anytime. He's waiting on us to independently communicate with Him.

Hope & Michelle
Congratulations!

Katy