tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16182378.post1237259131455047158..comments2024-03-16T22:48:51.394-05:00Comments on Pleasant View Schoolhouse: The SuitcaseUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16182378.post-22148721258385661672012-10-04T07:47:01.784-05:002012-10-04T07:47:01.784-05:00My friend stumbled about this string of conversati...My friend stumbled about this string of conversation and found the dream by "anonymous" about Christians trying to get Jesus saved and Him telling her, "This is not me". That is so powerful. I would love to hear more about that dream, but I have no way to get in touch with her. Please contact us at www.pastorjohnshouse.com if anybody knows how to reach this person. And in the meantime, God bless you!Jessica E.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16182378.post-35842874302669934242010-03-17T23:52:34.051-05:002010-03-17T23:52:34.051-05:00As I watch my dear niece and nephews carry their ...As I watch my dear niece and nephews carry their own heavy suitcases, one of the many things I mourn for them is the loss of home. They talk about being at "Mom's house" or "Dad's house," but they don't call any place "home." But one of the most precious memories I cherish of these dear children is watching my older nephews, who have more experience carrying their suitcases, comforting their younger cousin who is caught in the middle of a terrible custody situation. Their compassion, wisdom, and empathy humbled and amazed me. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Those precious boys could offer comfort and understanding to their cousin that I cannot, no matter how much I long to do so because they all carry that same suitcase.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16182378.post-56230953571673903882010-03-14T10:33:28.863-05:002010-03-14T10:33:28.863-05:00Wow. That was powerful.Wow. That was powerful.Sweet Woodruffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01926424938367611947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16182378.post-59288557797058833812010-02-21T12:24:05.214-06:002010-02-21T12:24:05.214-06:00I think we all have our suitcases!!! But you know,...I think we all have our suitcases!!! But you know, when I looked at this picture, I saw you heading out on a new journey to make new memories and while it does not erase those past painful ones, it sure can help. I have some painful things in a suitcase I will always carry around, not related to divorce, but you know the suitcase gets lighter as I take them out and give them to God.Martha A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02426112535240400393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16182378.post-24970192143834286372010-02-10T22:26:26.769-06:002010-02-10T22:26:26.769-06:00I, like Becca, don't see it as an issue of for...I, like Becca, don't see it as an issue of forgiving something in the past. <br /><br />The issue is that, forever, the eroding keeps going on. As the years pass, my parents get more and more bitter. Marrying other people has only complicated things. They don't want to share in our joy of bringing up a new family, because it is a painful reminder to them that life didn't turn out like they wanted it to. <br /><br />They end up just keeping to themselves and refusing to participate, even though we do everything we can to entice them to be around. <br /><br />There's just no family there for us as we go through our childbearing years, and I don't see it getting any better, it only gets worse. <br /><br />My only hope is to cling to Jesus, who "makes the bitter water sweet" (from the story of the Israelite children in the wilderness). He is the only thing that can allow sweetness to come out of my marriage and children. Otherwise we would be swept away in the flood of bitterness from - not the past - but from the *current* divorce situation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16182378.post-85478512260767419172010-01-17T20:00:20.128-06:002010-01-17T20:00:20.128-06:00I know the suitcase you speak of, and sometimes we...I know the suitcase you speak of, and sometimes we need an inanimate object to encapsulate the confusion kept within.<br /><br />I was moved by your post. I know exactly what you're talking about.Chris https://www.blogger.com/profile/13715819899708384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16182378.post-81008640142872175172010-01-12T13:31:15.547-06:002010-01-12T13:31:15.547-06:00Love the photo and would love to read the essay. T...Love the photo and would love to read the essay. This is a silent problem for many women (and men. I almost never read about this, but, as a child of divorce myself, I would love to read about it. My theory is that it's taboo because of the risk of hurting those who are struggling to raise children after their own divorce. I have friends who are divorced, through no fault of their own, and I feel I need to be sensitive to their feelings. I think this would make a great book or article, but might alienate some of your blog readers. There is a pretty big suitcase being carried by women whose husbands have divorced them, even though the women did not want it.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17470564337562063124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16182378.post-23792193300459743292010-01-09T23:01:13.335-06:002010-01-09T23:01:13.335-06:00Thank you so much for this. I cannot tell you how ...Thank you so much for this. I cannot tell you how much I needed this. <br /><br />P.S. I adore your blog!Andi Maehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13781123413341494058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16182378.post-32613685737286921982010-01-08T22:43:46.589-06:002010-01-08T22:43:46.589-06:00So grateful to have found your blog via a link fro...So grateful to have found your blog via a link from aholyexperince. <br />Fabulous photo. Touching post that penetrates my heart as I carry the same suitcase.Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01158109379150463976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16182378.post-71704030422565875802010-01-08T14:03:58.199-06:002010-01-08T14:03:58.199-06:00Go ahead! Would love to read. . .Go ahead! Would love to read. . .Denisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16182378.post-84842312962963457822010-01-08T11:50:08.257-06:002010-01-08T11:50:08.257-06:00How I long to hold my loved ones with both hands a...How I long to hold my loved ones with both hands and leave that suitcase behind! After 20 years, my parent's divorce only deepens with pain because our children dont' have the wholesome extended family that we would wish for them and my parent's bitterness and grief is taken out on my children in strange ways. Lord, please knit our lives with joy!Collin, Rebecca, Ursa, Amelia, Dominic and Baby Bonafacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04632487965442783056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16182378.post-77788072576054155952010-01-07T23:53:31.570-06:002010-01-07T23:53:31.570-06:00Anna,
Thank you for your post. No matter how old ...Anna,<br />Thank you for your post. No matter how old I get, the suitcase is still by my side...since I was five. It shouldn't still hurt, right? It's so "normal" these days. It's the unexpected things that surprise me......dealing with a family fractured all over the country, and wondering how to visit them all and have any kind of relationship between them and my children. And now, looks like we'll go through it again as my father and stepmother are divorcing after 25 years and 2 more kids. I agree with Polly and thank the Lord for a husband who has committed to not adding another suitcase for our four children to lug through life, and who has helped me chuck some of that junk in the suitcase.<br />Thank you once again for sharing your life with us. <br />You may never know who the Lord will touch through your words.Carriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10293979952867256817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16182378.post-79579909654627554182010-01-07T07:26:33.746-06:002010-01-07T07:26:33.746-06:00You know what a picture is worth.You know what a picture is worth.Elisabeth Blackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962421339750272755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16182378.post-8278281227975915712010-01-06T21:11:17.307-06:002010-01-06T21:11:17.307-06:00the picture + the words = something to surely thin...the picture + the words = something to surely think about.<br /><br />both my parents and my husband's parents divorced when we were little. neither of us truly understood the depth of it all until we became parents ourselves. and now it was not only affecting us, but the next generation - our children. i will never forget the day i realized my children would never be able to go to "gramdma and grandpa's house". that place just doesn't exist for them.<br /><br />i recently tried to explain divorce to a friend of mine: my mom loves me 100% and my dad loves me 100%, and 200% is great. but when two parents stay together, their love isn't just added together; it grows exponentially. there is just that "something extra" they share, that history, the things they feel and know about their children that nobody else does.<br /><br />i have always enjoyed coming to your blog for our common interests, but now i feel an even stronger bond. thank you for sharing, anna.connienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16182378.post-31097106287410530682010-01-06T18:37:47.704-06:002010-01-06T18:37:47.704-06:001 Thessalonians 5:18
Thank [God] in everything [no...1 Thessalonians 5:18<br />Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus<br /><br />AaronsrodAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16182378.post-53067928390121437182010-01-06T18:10:45.005-06:002010-01-06T18:10:45.005-06:00It is unfortunate that us children of divorce cann...It is unfortunate that us children of divorce cannot ever say that we had pain for fear of offending the parents who feel they did the very best they could (and in many cases did). But I guess that is part of what is in that suitcase.<br /><br />Thanks, Anna. This was a very emotional post for me. I had no idea what feelings I still had about my parents' divorce even after 30 years.Tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16680853897615420038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16182378.post-40184498764416420272010-01-06T16:25:17.874-06:002010-01-06T16:25:17.874-06:00Here is a factual statement: "My parents divo...Here is a factual statement: "My parents divorced and that divorce caused me pain." That is not a judgement of them or anyone else who divorced. <br /><br />However, I think we are perfectly free as Christians to identify ungodly behavior as such. It has nothing to do with forgiveness, either.Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10747223126169684757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16182378.post-82010772056212044462010-01-06T16:17:04.832-06:002010-01-06T16:17:04.832-06:00Polly, that is a very interesting point you made. ...Polly, that is a very interesting point you made. However, I have no wish to "gloss over" in any way the suffering of those who live through divorces.Lisateresanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16182378.post-62547977944952271102010-01-06T13:41:38.332-06:002010-01-06T13:41:38.332-06:00Though i think you may have meant well to say that...Though i think you may have meant well to say that the result of a divorce leaves pain behind,and that is true , I have to add to this that any time we point out people's inability to be perfect , in any way or form, we are in fact judging them, no matter how nice we are , wether we like it or not.<br /><br />When I became a "born again" Christian all I heard was how my sins were forgiven never to be seen again..Perhaps "heard" was another thing. I began to hear soon after my salvation how bad it was to have an abortion. I had previously had 2 of them before I was suppossedly FORGIVEN, but I continued to hear this terrible finger pointing for years until one day I realized the church had not forgiven me and never will, only Jesus had ,so that was no place for me. The issue was slammed on my face creating guilt over and over again. This is why I left the Christian Church. I cannot stop being a new creation in Christ Jesus but I can stop hearing people judging everything I did wrong over and over again If I just stay away from church, and live with God alone who did indeed forgive me and washed me clean..Its very interesting , I had a dream where Jesus and I went to church hand in hand and when we entered through the doors, the "Christians" hurried to try to save Him and give Him a tract for His salvation ! When I woke up I heard Him say THEY don't know Me!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16182378.post-76609984204151993162010-01-06T13:29:54.564-06:002010-01-06T13:29:54.564-06:00I was thinking on this some more this morning in t...I was thinking on this some more this morning in the car, and considered another layer of the metaphor. Of course the post is applicable to everyone via the last sentence. But I thought of the fact that we are *all* Children of Divorce, in the way sin can (and did) divorce us from God. We all lug around that suitcase. We are all looking for someone to help us unload the junk and/or carry the suitcase with us.Pollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09403233175071026416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16182378.post-64728675350747083442010-01-06T07:53:36.505-06:002010-01-06T07:53:36.505-06:00So much has already been said here - I'm sure ...So much has already been said here - I'm sure there's nothing I can really add to it.<br />But it occurred to me that your remark about holding on to your loved ones might not mean what I at first thought - did you mean holding onto them in order to keep things together as much as you can? Or holding onto them for your own sense of stability; for your own "groundedness"?<br />My own parents didn't divorce, but it wasn't a good marriage, unfortunately, and I have plenty of baggage. I don't tend to ponder the situation the way you seem to do. I tend to go along, do my chores, do my sewing, praying, etc., and be occupied. I'm not deliberately trying to avoid anything, but you've made me think now that I may be missing something important. HmmmLisateresanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16182378.post-21713111074622509702010-01-06T05:38:24.650-06:002010-01-06T05:38:24.650-06:00Bless you sweet lady. :)Bless you sweet lady. :)SFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09489292370680405548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16182378.post-32871158450562822992010-01-06T01:04:51.736-06:002010-01-06T01:04:51.736-06:00wow.
just wow.wow. <br /><br />just wow.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08625067663427750125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16182378.post-30191118309230892272010-01-06T00:44:57.177-06:002010-01-06T00:44:57.177-06:00I mostly "lurk", enjoying the homeschool...I mostly "lurk", enjoying the homeschool insights, lovely photos, vintage flair and sewing projects (I went out and bought the adorable pattern you used for Daisy's flannel dresses with an Easter frock in mind for my 2 y.o. DD--couldn't pass it up when JoAnn had their McCalls patterns on sale for 99ยข last weekend)...<br /><br />But this post spoke to me--made me pause and look down at the duct-taped handle of my own suitcase and marvel in gratitude that it has, through grace, grown lighter over the years. Thank you for sharing, for putting into that one picture all the thousand words I've carried engraved on my heart since I was sixteen.<br /><br />God is good, Anna, and thank God for you for reminding me.chicklegirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03000215636803243874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16182378.post-85460113126834524852010-01-05T23:57:49.733-06:002010-01-05T23:57:49.733-06:00Aptly spoken. It's a new year and time to lig...Aptly spoken. It's a new year and time to lighten our burdens. (Also, the essay may be good sometime too, in the last 6 mths or so of 2009 I knew personally, 8 or 9 couples at some stage of divorce; it has been heart-breaking to say the least.) Happy New Year.Amy B.noreply@blogger.com