We're still praying also---for you and your dh, for your son in general, for his injuries to heal well, and for his marriage.
Thanks for your prayers, everyone! I truly believe our son's spine is intact today because of prayer! If the pain med in his body runs low, he says he starts to shake and tremble with pain. Otoh, however, he says he's been "looking up" more lately. I know that God will use this for good, & yet, when the phone rings, my first reaction is still fear--fear for more bad news. I'm trying to rest in God's goodness, in His promises, in His Word. Isaiah has been very meaningful to me this week--promises of restoration to Israel, which I'm also begging for our family. (And yours, too, Jackie!)
My dh just talked with our dear dil. He said that she said something about a court date being Oct. 8. I think I know what that means. I wish I could throw up.
Sorry Prairie! Keep looking up! God can work things out for the best. We often can't see what's happening until after it's all over, and it's painful to go through! MORE prayers!
My mom went through that with my "little" brother. His first wife was a wonderful gal, and Mom loved her dearly. She (Mom) was heartbroken when they broke up! She was quick to blame my brother for the break-up, but it is very rarely just one person's "fault". Later she was able to learn a bit more of the truth of the matter. And no, she didn't "blame" my former SIL when she learned this; she was just more realistic that both of them were at fault to some degree. I pray that they will be willing to allow God to work a miracle in them both even now. It's not impossible, if they're willing!
Thank you! That helps! Yes, we are still praying for a miracle. God is still God. I awoke this morning, dreading another day of life. But then the Holy Spirit annointed my fine husband to minister life to me. He said I needed to separate my identity more from my children--both from taking credit for their achievements as well as from blaming myself for their failures. I began to sense that there was some self-righteousness which was adding to my distress: that what my children do--horrors!--might reflect badly on me. I was happy to repent of that & immediately felt peace. Well, the day went ahead & dawned bright & beautiful. The songs in church were sweet. And we commemorated, with bread & grape juice, that great feast which we will someday share around the table with Jesus. I will enter heaven stripped and bare. I will not cling to a single measure of the "law" that I have kept well nor any goodness that I have done. My only boast is in Jesus and HIS righteousness. I am hidden in Him. This is not an easy lesson for me to learn, but it's a good one. I purpose to rest in that. (This does not negate my grief for our beloved children. It just clears that grief of selfishness. Now, according to Matt. 5, I can be blessed as I sorrow, for He will comfort me. I'm expecting to see a "Lily in the valley." As you pray for me, you may pray for that comfort, because I am deeply grieving. Thank you again.
Dear Ones, this has been a healing week. As I have grieved, the Lord has comforted me. I have been able to "lay our dear children's marriage at the Cross." My dh & I have prayed exhorbitant prayers, extravagant prayers, prayers for the miraculous, & have fasted somewhat. We are expecting that whatever happens will have the touch of the Lord upon it. Some things have already happened with my soul, & I want to explain it, but it's hard to wrap words around it. You kind of have to know me to understand that I've always been able to do a rather fine job with my life--set goals and meet them. Please people. A+ student--that kind of thing. Well, there is a certain stress to being a perfectionist as well as a sin the Bible calls "self-righteousness." That is terribly hard to get rid of, but the Lord used the thing dearest to my heart--parenting-- to help me get rid of it (at least to a large degree). I believed the myth that if I did a good job with my children that they would always do a good job with their choices in life and that that would reflect well on me & prove that I had done a good job. Well, when certain things happened, it proved, in my opinion, that I had not done well, & life became burdensome, to say the least. I'm learning, and the lessons are bitter, but sweet. My tattered rags of self-righteousness are being mercifully taken away, and I am happy to say that a deeper joy and a closer, sweeter relationship with the Lover of my Soul is becoming mine. I do not wish this type of pain for any other person in the world, but the JOY of gaining more of Christ is worth it to me, & I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for praying for me during this trial.
You are amazing, Prairie Home. I could read your posts all day long. I wish I could express myself in such a beautiful way. I am so glad you are able to find comfort and joy in all of this! I am still praying here for all of you.
Prairie Home, your words perfectly describe what you have gone through. I pray that by drawing closer to God and setting the desires of your heart at His feet, you will be greatly blessed. Your family is still in my prayers.
That's "music to my ears!" My husband & I have reread the thread also! (And I, a number of times.) All of your prayers, each one of your encouragements, & Sixcloar's song minister life to us. As far as we can tell, there are at least five Beloved Prodigals represented on this Homeschool spot. With such open, sincere, & sustained prayer going up on their behalf, we shouldn't be surprised to see miracles recorded here one day. Soon, I hope! Blessings to all of you!
Prairie, I am still praying for you as you go through this valley! It's good that you are looking up and are willing to learn, instead of being bitter that this is happening! God can't force your ds or dd-i-l to make the right choices, but He is working on their hearts, and is there with you and is leading you through this! Your son may be watching your reactions, and if he sees the great faith that you have, he may decide that he really does want what you've got!
How we pray that to be true, Deena! Thanks so much! The pain is so intense, sometimes it's physical. I have doubled over in grief. Yet, God is greater, & I'm learning little by little that JOY should actually be the normal state of life for a Christian, even in hard times.
Prairie....joy is one thing that I pray for you when I have my prayer time. I have found that true joy can be a powerful thing in a persons life. "The joy of the Lord gives me strength"......it is so true! Hugs to you, today.
Thank you SO much! Joy. Maybe that is the "miracle" the Lord has for us. We have talked with them about forgiveness, building on the Solid Rock, & doing things right. As parents, we don't always know what actually is right, but when a person chooses the way of revenge, that certainly seems wrong. Like asking for a lifetime of bitterness. Like choosing life in the pigpen a little longer. Corncobs, IYKWIM. So, learning how to pray for them according to His will, is our quest. What's the highest good for these dear ones? Knowing Him! Not only "doing what's right." In fact, without an intimate realtionship with Him, how can they do what is right, & even if they do, what merrit does it have? So I'm at the Cross again, asking for something even better than that--that they may know Him & the power of His Resurrection! Yes, I'm also asking for the "joy of the Lord, which gives me strength," & for gracious words to share this heartbreak with my dear mother. She's 91 & knocking on heaven's door. I pray for strength for her to endure it, if she has to know it, and that God will help her see that the most important thing is knowing Him, & that without that, nothing else matters. I also pray that being open with these things on this forum will somehow help others who are struggling. Psalms tells us to "dig a well," so that others who come after us through the valley can be refreshed with the same Living Water that we have found.
It is strange, but as I grow, my prayers become shorter and shorter. What does it all come down to? His will be done, because no matter what I think ought to happen, HIS way is always the best - and to draw each person, no matter their situation, condition, or circumstance, into the proper relationship with Him. Yes, He wants us to feel free to ask Him, but I find I want to ask him for less. I just want HIS way. Not always. LOL But more and more. He does tell us to participate in what He is doing, through prayer. There are some marvelous mysteries I am anxious to understand when we are with Him. And I bet I'll smack myself on the forehead and go, "Duh! Of course! Why didn't I get that?" LOL I am continuing in prayer for your kids. And for you. (((hugs)))
But Valerie. sometimes doesn't it just seem so obvious what should happen?! 'Went on a 4-mile walk today. Someone once said that becoming a parent is a very dangerous thing, because your heart leaves your body and goes walking around in the hands of your children!
LOL Yup! Similar to what I always say, "Pieces of my heart have got up and walked away." I don't know whether I am too caught up in my kids, or if this is the way it is (it isn't with my mom, she always says how glad she was when we left). But There really is a hole in my heart shaped like each of my children. I am happiest when they are with me, when we have a relationship. The happiest times in my life were spent with my family together - I never cared what we were doing, as long as we were together.
Well, no one has posted on this thread for over a month, but it just keeps sitting here on the first page of intros, reminding me of the "Beloved Prodigals" we've been praying for; so I'll add some encouraging words for other parents & caring ones. I've been meditating--more like "marinating"--in the thought that God is so good & trying to imagine how good He is and just how powerful! It can't be done! We cannot imagine the extent of His power to save, because it is infinite; & His desire to see our loved ones walking in righteousness far exceeds our own. This does not negate free will, but He provides circumstances & people to influence even that. In studying our One Year Bible, almost every day I find special "manna" to nourish my soul & can say with increasing confidence that I am going to survive having my heart taken out & shredded! But only because "His mercies are new every morning!" I am learning to choose joy over sorrow. I am laughing more, instead of weeping. I am cherishing the blessings we do have in relationships & letting God work out the details of those we don't. And I'm especially grateful for my mother, who will be 92, soon. 'Thought it was time I told her some of our trials over Thanksgiving. She just keeps on loving--'said she'd pray all the harder! In my limited view, I think it would be so great if she could live to see the answers to her prayers, & maybe she will; but she's got her bags packed & is so ready to see the heavenly city, that I don't know if she can wait that long! Anyway, I want to encourage other pray-ers that hope is available, & so is rest for our souls. I'm finding it, & I hope others are too. 'Still praying for you!
