To My 3rd Son,

     It's Saturday, September 14, 2019! It's your Wedding Day! (And don't ever forget your anniversary!)LOL!

     I'm so thankful that the Lord put your amazing family in our lives about twenty years ago!  Peyton would come home from daycare talking about you- his best buddy!

     I did a little background check on your family by calling the FBI and my second mom, Betty Perdue, to quiz her about this "James" family.  She assured me that y'all were a fine Christian family.... your daddy was a coach, your mom worked in health care, and y'all attended Willow Point Baptist Church.

     One day I called your house and asked if I could take you to the movie with Peyton.  Your parents agreed, and I went to Pepperwood Circle to pick-up the "Wee Center Legend", Jacob James, and meet your family.  Of course your mom was at work and only your dad was home.  He was so nice as he helped me wrestle another car seat in the back of my Maxima.  Little did I know that this family would have such a godly influence on our lives.

     When it was time for you and PT to begin Kindergarten, PT cried his eyes out when he found out that you were going to Stockwell and not to Apollo!  I had to convince him that he would see you every time we had baseball or football practice.

     There have been many baseball trips, fishing trips, target practice, beach vacations, and do you remember that time that I took y'all rolling to Kady Mattison's house? (LOL!!!  I'll just leave that right there) Your mom and I even became great friends and ran a few half-marathons and one full together -- all because of the "Wee Center Legend", Jacob James! By the way, she always beat me! Big Time!

    What a privilege it has been to watch God work in your life!  As a middle schooler, I observed you share the love of Christ while handing out Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes to the children of Juarez. (even though Lisa and I had to yell at you both about going to the bathroom alone in Mexico- lol!) While at Airline, all eyes were on you.  You were the quarterback, and  you played VARSITY baseball as a FRESHMAN.  We cheered even louder for you!  I remember one sticky, hot evening at Captain Shreve during a freshman football game, a player was jabbing you in the ribs and another poking your eyes after the whistle.  And it happened just below my seat in the bleachers, and that was NOT good!  I screamed and hollered and thought I was going to have to punch the refs for not throwing a flag!  When I finally sat down, I overheard a Shreve parent say, "Her son must be the quarterback!"
   
     I thought to myself, "Well, you might as well be mine and those guys better watch out!"

     You led your team in prayer under Friday Night Lights and set an example for so many who were watching you.  While in college, you served as in intern for the youth ministry.  You experienced ministry and responsibility.  The students loved you and still do!

      As you begin this exciting chapter of your life, my prayer is that you and Whitney will continue to seek the Lord.  Matthew 6:33 tells us, "But seek first his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."  Life is hard. Marriage is hard. The enemy wants us to lose focus!  Especially those that are making a difference for His kingdom.  And I am certain that you and Whitney are doing just that- making a difference!  Put on your armor daily! Stay in the Word, love her deeply, and put her needs ahead of your own! Cherish her! She is your treasure! Congratulations!

#letthejamesbegin

Love,
Momma Lucy

Dear Single Mom,

Dear Single Mom,

    Let me start my offering you an apology. Up until the last few years, I was honestly ignorant to the severity of your struggles. I was the girl that said, “Why can’t they just stay together for the kids?” Shame. On. Me. 

     Don’t get me wrong, I know all too well that divorce produces excruciating pain, heartbreak, and long term consequences. Furthermore, the subject is often taboo especially in our churches where so many are affected, but the pain is real.  

     It’s acknowledging defeat. 

     The death of a dream. 

     And the consequences associated with this decision will forever change you and those you love. Divorce should certainly be the last option- when all else fails. 

     When. 

     All. 

    Else. 

    Fails. 

    And unfortunately, sometimes it does. 

    When all else fails and the dust finally settles, you are left with so many broken pieces. You do your best to help your children begin to heal. It's NO fun. It’s dreadful, gut-wrenching pain. And ONLY with the help of the Great Physician, you can gently put one foot in front of the other and walk into “your new normal”. 

     This “new normal” feels like a foreign land. It’s desolate, somewhere that you would never have imagined yourself being, and nowhere you ever wanted to be!

     But this lonely desert is exactly where you have the opportunity to see who God really is! Would this have ever happened if I were still a married mom? I can’t answer that. But this is what I know: When God says, “I Am”- He is! I have had the privilege of sharing and teaching these truths to my boys that I have only experienced while walking this lonely, uncertain road. 

     Both of my boys have matured into handsome, godly, young men. In my opinion, they are wise beyond their years. And I am truly thankful. Their lives bless me daily.  I am forever grateful that the Lord chose me to be their mom! 

        So be encouraged and hang in there, single mom! God loves you more than you know and only wants what is best for you and your children! Hold on to Him and do not let go! I promise He will show you great and mighty things that you did not already know. These aren’t my words- they are His words.(“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3)

       When I was a classroom teacher, Jeremiah 29:11 was plastered above my dry-erase/smart board on a huge three-foot banner that ran the length of my classroom. (Thank you Robyn Horton) It begins one of my most favorite passages:

 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and  pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with  all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”     

Jeremiah 29:11-14

     These verses have encouraged me during my darkest days! In spite of the unforeseen detour that my life took, I have an undeniable faith-journey.  And I believe that the best is yet to come! 

     Be encouraged, single mom! Oh, How He Loves Us! He knows right where you are! And He is revealing to you undeniable truths that you may have never had the opportunity to experience without walking this road.  Share these godly truths with your children. Find joy in your journey. You are the daughter of the MOST HIGH! The KING of KINGS is YOUR dad! Smile and wave as you wear your crown, Princess! Your best is yet to come! 

You are in my prayers!

Love your big sister, 

Princess Lucy