F
FrankR
Guest
I wanted to provide an update on my divorce case, and my life in general. As I had mentioned in an earlier thread my custody hearing would be held on June 24. I could see how the case was literally ripping my family to shreds. I got a call a week before the hearing to attempt to resolve the matter out of court from her side. I went to the meeting on June 22. I realized in talking to people, I could be the Time Magazine “Man of the Year” and still not get custody. I am not trying to sound sexist, but I truly believe that the cards are stacked against men in these types of cases. I was mindful also that there was a real probability that even if I did get custody, the real possibility that there could be 2 more custody battles that would follow was an unacceptable reality.
I finally decided to capitulate. The toll this was taking on my children, my estranged wife, and especially the children was far too great. This was a prayerful and difficult decision, and one that was made after many, many hours of prayer and contemplation.
Instead my strategy would be to get as much time as possible with my children. This is indeed what happened. We were able to reach a decision that benefited all parties. As many people suggested to me, I prayed for my wife. Now let me tell you all of the good things that have since happened to me since resolving to do it this way.
§ I moved to South Bend Indiana and found a wonderful and affordable apartment.
§ I found a Cathedral only miles from my place that offers evening mass that I can finally attend. This was a dream of mine since converting.
§ I found a different Church that offers Perpetual Adoration daily. I go to adoration almost daily before going to mass at night. I have always prayed for this opportunity.
§ Both churches offer a penance schedule that affords me the opportunity to go at least weekly.
§ My children are happier now that the stress has been relieved, and my estranged wife has been polite to me and quite civil.
§ I feel at peace with myself, and for the first time in almost a year, I feel so much less distracted. I am reading books about the faith voraciously, like I was before all of the problems began.
This is where I am folks. The moral of this story is that God’s will is going to be done. I accept all that has happened to this point, and I say this with kind of a smile, I know that he has other plans for me.
I want to thank everyone that prayed for me, my children and my estranged wife. Please keep praying for us. We will never be together again as a family, but we are finally back to civility and I see no reason for that to change.
I finally decided to capitulate. The toll this was taking on my children, my estranged wife, and especially the children was far too great. This was a prayerful and difficult decision, and one that was made after many, many hours of prayer and contemplation.
Instead my strategy would be to get as much time as possible with my children. This is indeed what happened. We were able to reach a decision that benefited all parties. As many people suggested to me, I prayed for my wife. Now let me tell you all of the good things that have since happened to me since resolving to do it this way.
§ I moved to South Bend Indiana and found a wonderful and affordable apartment.
§ I found a Cathedral only miles from my place that offers evening mass that I can finally attend. This was a dream of mine since converting.
§ I found a different Church that offers Perpetual Adoration daily. I go to adoration almost daily before going to mass at night. I have always prayed for this opportunity.
§ Both churches offer a penance schedule that affords me the opportunity to go at least weekly.
§ My children are happier now that the stress has been relieved, and my estranged wife has been polite to me and quite civil.
§ I feel at peace with myself, and for the first time in almost a year, I feel so much less distracted. I am reading books about the faith voraciously, like I was before all of the problems began.
This is where I am folks. The moral of this story is that God’s will is going to be done. I accept all that has happened to this point, and I say this with kind of a smile, I know that he has other plans for me.
I want to thank everyone that prayed for me, my children and my estranged wife. Please keep praying for us. We will never be together again as a family, but we are finally back to civility and I see no reason for that to change.
