Once a movie, now the theme of our lives since January 1, 2016:  A Series of Unfortunate Events.  Honestly, that is the first thing that popped into my mind to describe the past four months.

There was a series of unfortunate events that spiraled out of control for a bit.  It left such heartache and pain in its path, and after the mass destruction, it was hard to pick up the pieces of my daughter’s shattered heart.  I’ll never forget her running into the living room crying hysterically as she fell into my arms sobbing deep, uncontrollable sobs.  Her heart shattered right there on the floor all around us.  I’ve never felt more helpless in all of my life.  My daughter was hurting, and I couldn’t fix it.  In the past, I could always kiss it and make it better when she scraped her knee or fell off of her bike.  This time was way different, and I knew all I could do was hold her and pray for God to help us in this situation.

For months, we prayed.  We knew that this was bigger than all of us, and only God could change hardened hearts.  While we wished, prayed, and hoped for an answer in January, it just simply does not happen in our timing.  When God seems silent, just know that He is working in the background.  We just may not ever know it at the time, but if you’re patient and continue to have faith, God will reveal all in HIS timing.

And … He has.

Friday, my daughter called once more in tears. I could barely understand a word she was saying through her sobs.  As she cried, I started crying, too.  Finally, I grasped what my daughter was trying to say.  An apology had been extended to her, out of the blue!  We were both taken back by this, and she asked what she should do.  Knowing she was about to be late going into work at that point, I told her to just breathe … and set the message aside until after work.  She and I would pray about it and decide how to respond.

God … You truly WERE listening when we prayed, and You WERE at work the entire time!

That evening, she responded to the message through tears and nervousness.  Hoping, waiting, wanting … And then a message popped up addressed to me.  A very humble, respectful apology that I believe was heart felt.  We hugged and cried together for God surely answered our prayers.

My daughter cried once more, but this time it was different.  Her tears fell out of pure happiness over an opportunity for redemption.  For a love she thought she’d lost forever has now returned asking forgiveness and vowing to prove that he is a changed man.

While others may not understand why anyone should receive a second chance after the series of unfortunate events, we know that God has forgiven us ALL for things we’ve done in our lives that were unpleasing to Him.  If God forgives us, so shouldn’t we also extend our forgiveness to those that are humble and sincere?  I believe we shall take this chance and allow this young man to prove himself.  If we didn’t offer another chance, we would always wonder what could have been.  And so we go, with God on our side, seeking His guidance and asking for His protection over their hearts and lives.

We know things won’t be roses and rainbows all the time.  We also know that there is a lot of work that has to be done here for him to pick up the shattered pieces of my daughter’s heart and put them back together again to make her whole.  I believe he is capable, if he invites God into his relationship.

No outside interference from non-supporting friends or family will be tolerated either.  If people cannot genuinely support these two, then they need to keep their negative thoughts to themselves.

I believe that people can change if they truly want to.  When their heart has been heavy and hurting for so long, they have to make a decision to continue living the way they have been OR to make a lasting change for the better.

I believe out of the ashes and the pain, a beautiful love will emerge stronger than ever.