Monday, September 8, 2008

Demolition Day!

QUIN: "Who in the world would name me Quin."

ME: "Daddy and I picked that name for you."


QUIN: "Why couldn't you have just named me Pablo?"





Oh my goodness does this boy make me laugh? I have no idea where the "Pablo" comment came from but I think it is going to stick as a new nickname.

Actually his humor couldn't have come at a better time as I received word yesterday that my Dad is not doing well. Six months ago, after being hospitalized and on life support, he entered a Detox program for his alcohol and nicotine addictions. He did well for a short time but unfortunately he is smoking and drinking heavily again.

Sadly, I am not surprised but my heart does ache at the thought of what he is doing to himself. I take comfort in the fact that he does know the Lord and I believe his salvation is assured but if he continues to indulge his addictions it is only a matter of time before they end his life. Meanwhile he is miserable and he is making everyone around him miserable too.

Since he is in Maine and I am in Kansas there isn't much I can do for him physically. I can however pray and offer words of encouragement to him and those around him.

Although he left home when I was 7 and was never really a presence in my life I do love my Dad and after years of feeling angry and abandoned I have made peace with him and accepted the fact that he loves me as much as he can. I also believe that one day I will see the "Father" that God created for me before the sins and addictions made him into the man I know.

Satan may have a hold on him now but he belongs to the Lord and nothing can separate him from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus! (Romans 8:38-39)

Beth Moore says that by giving us "His Word" and "Prayer" God has handed us two sticks of dynamite with which to demolish strongholds. So today Pablo and I are forming our own demolition crew on behalf of Grandpa Tom! We would love for you to join us if you feel so inclined.......

23 comments:

Runner Mom said...

Sweet Kelly,
I would love to join you, Pablo and the rest of your crew in praying for your dad! Thanks for sharing about waht is going on. I'd give you a hug if I were closer to Kansas!!
Love ya,
Susan

Krista said...

You can count on my prayers, my friend. I lost my dad five years ago to heart disease. They told him if he didn't stop smoking, his heart would one day stop beating. That's what happened. It was the biggest heartbreak of my life but I know that he is having a better day now. He is with the Lord forever singing praises to His name; what could be a better day than that?

Praying,
Krista

Melanie said...

I will most certainly join you in prayer for your father!

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

Oh how sweet your spirit is. This is a great example for your children and grandchildren to see you love someone who wasn't perfect or even capable of "fixing" the past. That is unconditional love. Blessings on all of you and prayers, too.

Amy said...

I would be happy to join you and Pablo.;)

I'll be praying.

God Bless,
Amy:)

Joyful said...

Praying with you and for you. God is able!
Hugs,
Joy

Kelly said...

Kelley - I, too, am a Kelly, and also an adult child of an alcoholic parent (my mom). I have my first published article coming out in the Proverbs 31 magazine in November called "My Perfect Parent" about my childhood. It may have been a blessing (in disguise) that your father left your home when you were young. And of course you know you have a heavenly Father who adores your sweet soul.

As for Pablo - I'll bet it is from Backyardigans. When my now 4 yr old was 2, she insisted that I call her Pablo. (And she called my Tyrone! Another Backyardigans character.) You should have seen the look on a sweet old man's face at church, when he asked my precious daughter her name and she said "PABLO!" Priceless!

Blessings to you through out this troubling time.

Pamela (His maidservant) said...

Count me in! I count it an honor to pray for your dad (and you!).

In His Graces~Pamela

On Purpose said...

Dear Kelley,

For our God will take our prayers and where our words get quiet and faint, He will hear the Holy Spirit interceding on our behalf and He will move the mountain.

May you know today we are standing with you, loving you and praying that God gets all the glory!

Sheryl said...

Pablo? What a cutie he is! It is a privilege to join with you in praying for your day. Thanks for sharing your heart.
-Sheryl

Christy said...

Kelley~

I will join with you in prayer for your Dad. I will lift you up as well, I'm sure it's not an easy road that you are on right now. You are loving your dad well because of your unconditional love and support and prayers for him.

Kristen said...

Kelley,
Joining you and "Pablo" in prayer. You are following God's Commandment by honoring your father... it's a tough road... your faith will see you through.

Susan said...

Hey Girlfriend,

I've missed you!! I'm finally up and running and trying to catch up on every one's blogs!

I was having "blog-withdrawals" over here without electricity!!

On a serious note, I'm so sad to read about your dad!

Please know you can count on me to keep him lifted up in prayer daily now.

Keep me posted OK?

I read your other update. I had a 9lb 9oz baby too, my precious Jordan.

He was 35lbs on his first birthday, and still NOT WALKING. (Now that is my official excuse for NOT walking or running, I dislocated my hip!!)

Still recovering, he's only 22 what do you expect????

Anyhow, I love your new look, this is MY FAVORITE by far!!

Love ya♥

Leaon Mary said...

Hi Kelley,
I'll be praying for your Dad as well.
I do "understand." My Dad left when I was a teenager. He too is an alcoholic. I truly feel your pain.
One day when I went to thee alter, I felt pretty miserable coz I'd been wishing I had a Father figure in my life. Right there, God said, "Lea, I'M YOUR DADDY, ~ Don't worry. I'm here, and I'll never leave you."
After that happened, it stopped hurting so much. Now I just pray for him... mostly that he'll come to know the Lord.
I'll be prayin with you and Pablo for your dear olde daddy. Please lift one up for mine as well. ;)
Hugs,
Lea

Joy Junktion said...

I would absolutely LOVE to pray with you and Pablo.
I was able to forgive and find healing and restoration in my relationship with my earthly father before he died.
He had been extremely abusive in every way. But in 1997 God healed my heart and I am thankful that I was able to spend so quality time with my dad before his death in 1999.
I'm glad you are able to have relationship with your dad. I personally know how important it will be in the years ahead.
Blessings,
Cindy

Pat said...

Kelly,
My prayers join yours for your Dad. The pain of watching someone that we love suffer is so deep.
Blessings sweet lady,
pat

Jamie said...

Kelley~
How cute is your little guy?!?! Pablo...that is too funny.

You can count on me praying! I'll pray for your dad and you and your family as well.
Love~
Jamie

Rachel Olsen said...

I'm praying for Grandpa Tom right now. May no weapon formed against him prosper. May the plans that God has to give him a future and a hope be poured forth. May he and his family be healed through the power of Christ.

Sounds like your Pablo has been watching the Backyardigans. I like the episode with the River Nile, and the one on the pirate boat, and the one with the yeddi, and the one ...

Blessings ~ Rachel

Connie said...

Kelly,
I said a prayer for you and your father. You are precious and I love your strong faith.

Pablo is a sweetie....love those little boys they say the darndest things!

Connie

Rachael said...

My heart goes out to you in this gut wrenching journey. At least you have the assurance that he has heard the good news and has accepted it--that's the hardest step to overcome! Prayers of intercession are surrounding him and your family to dispatch the Holy Spirit.

Pablo? What a funny kid.

Anonymous said...

Kelley -
You are such a joy and I am so proud of you! Your forgiveness for your Father is more than commendable - I know how hard you struggled for so many years. It took me a long time too but my heart has softened toward him and I will pray along with you. I can't imagine the pain he is in.

NOW - the picture of Quin is absolutely wonderful - I just want to grab him up and give him a great big hug - bathwater and all! I will try to remember that his name is now "Pablo"!

All my love, MOM

Lelia Chealey said...

Pablo is awesome!!!
I will join you sweet sister in praying for your Dad. Always hard watching someone choose destruction.
Love you much,
Lelia

Laurie Ann said...

Kelley, I am so sorry to hear this about your dad. My father fell ill Monday and had to have a pacemaker put in Tuesday. Wednesday I brought him home and am praying he does what the doctor ordered. He abused his body for years with alcohol and cigarettes and although the doctor said age has caused this problem, I can't help but feel his past is just catching up with him. I won't go into it here, but suffice it to say I am where you are as far as making peace with my Dad's choices in life and feel the same way you do, that one day I will be able to see him the way God intended me to. I try. Oh, how I try.

So with you and "Pablo", I'm praying for your dad.