Having a Come Apart
I was introduced to the phrase “about to have a come apart” several years ago by my good friend Joyce Waid. Joyce no longer has “come aparts” because she is at home with Jesus. The phrase absolutely tickles me to death though and it is now part of my southern colloquialisms.
But just what is a come apart?
Ever have a day when the emotions are bubbling below the surface? All they need is one little catalytst to cause them to burst out of your mouth or stream hotly down your cheeks. This, my friends, is a come apart. <TWEET THIS
I just described my emotional state for the past 2 weeks.
Come aparts are not limited to one emotion – anything from anger to sorrow or extreme joy can cause them. I even have some holy come aparts every now and then when the Holy Spirit moves me through a song, sermon, or scripture. And certainly, big life changes can cause some come aparts.
You see this broken swing? It was a catalyst. It has been in our backyard for about 13 years. My husband promised Hannah he would put a tree swing there once we moved into our house in 2000. I wonder how many neighborhood and church kids have taken a swing on it!
This broken swing caused a mini-come apart – not because it broke, but because it kind of represents change to me. This mama is going through a lot of life changes this month. Hannah, the very one we put the swing up for, got engaged to an incredible young man on January 1…change is coming…a great change.
You see this vehicle leaving my house? It was another catalyst for a come apart and another change. This is my son and his family moving to Maryville, TN for a great new career opportunity. I am so excited for them and will miss them like crazy. Now granted, I didn’t see Caleb, Jessica, and our grandson Leeland everyday. But just knowing I could was a comfort.
I am tempted to use good old Jeremiah 29:11 here, “for I know the plans I have for you…”, but I won’t. I love that verse, but those words in context were meant for a people about to enter 70 years of captivity.
However, as I watched their vehicle drive away, it did make think about how the Ephesians wept when Paul left them on a sandy beach: “When he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him…” Acts 20:36-37
Yes, there have been several come aparts in the past few weeks, most in the privacy of my back room study. But like I have said so many times about my children, they are safer in God’s will than under my roof.
I am one happy, proud, gonna-miss-you-like-crazy Mama today! <TWEET THIS
