Over this last month God has done some GINORMOUS things in my life, including the restoration of a relationship I had never planned to restore. Honestly, He’s had me on super mode lately, and I haven’t gotten the time to sit down and process. So I thought, why not process with you? Tune in for the life-changing story of restoration with my step-mom,  Julie. 

For years I hated her. I couldn’t pin point an exact reason – there were several I guess. But I hated her. I fed that hate and a bitter root grew inside of me.
She had been with my dad for most of my life. The last time I saw her was 13 years ago as my dad lay in the hospital bed after a drunk driving accident. I was done with him. I decided to be done with her too. I chose to dwell on all the bad memories we had together and toss the good ones aside. She was the bad guy and it would stay that way. Afterall, step-moms are supposed to be the evil one anyway right?
A year ago, however, God said, “no more.” He was trying to teach me about love. I realized I couldn’t love with bitterness in my heart. I made the decision to forgive her. I made the decision to rip that bitterness up by its roots and toss it as far as I could. It was killing me. If I was going to die it wouldn’t be from hate. Besides, I could forgive her and never have to talk with her.
Then…
A month ago God did the BIG move. It was time to get in touch with her. I prayed about it. Then I waited. Then I prayed again just to make sure. Then I waited. Then I prayed again. Finally, I picked up the danged phone. I got the hint that God wasn’t going to change His mind.
I dialed her number having no idea what to expect. What do you say after 13 years?
“You have reached a number that is not accepting calls.”
I finally breathed and thought to myself, Well I tried. I was obedient. All was well.
But the feeling wouldn’t go away. I knew deep inside that wasn’t the end of it. Fast forward to three weeks ago. He said it was time to call her again. So, I dialed the number again, held my breath and waited. This time it said the phone wasn’t working. Another sigh of relief.
I imagined myself talking with her. What would I say? What would she say? It dawned on me at that moment that I had only been thinking about my side of the situation. What about hers? Perhaps she didn’t even want to talk to me. Duh! Fear overwhelmed me as I thought, What if she doesn’t want to talk to me?  Of course she does. Why wouldn’t she want to talk to me? But what if she doesn’t? It doesn’t matter anyway Sundi Jo. You can’t get a hold of her. 
It was calm again… 
I started to feel confused, as I thought God wanted me to talk to her. I was being obedient to His will and it wasn’t working out. It didn’t make sense to me. Then on a Saturday afternoon, sitting on the couch of a friends house enjoying some peace and quiet while she was out of town, He let me know again it was time. I remembered my mom suggesting looking up her dad’s phone number on White Pages.
A few seconds later, there it was. The phone number I knew was going to lead me to her was staring me in the face. This was it. It was really going to happen. The butterflies in my gut danced around letting me know.
I picked up the phone and said, “God, you’ve got to speak through me. I have no idea what to say.” I looked at Skeeter the dog, got the go ahead from her kisses, and dialed the number.
Don’t answer. Don’t answer. Don’t answer. I’m not ready. Don’t answer. Don’t answer. Don’t answer. 
“Hello.”
To be continued…
If you’re just starting, you can view the rest of the series here:
She Really Answered – Part Two of the Restoration Series
Finally We Meet – Part Three of the Restoration Series
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