Sometimes there are people that we pray for over many years and their faith seems at times to be becoming so real to them and at other times it falters and we wonder if they will ever find their way again. This is the case for someone who has been on my prayer lists for many years now. I have known her since she was just a little girl and remember how strong willed she was then.
Her parents are wonderful people who would do anything to help anyone. They are kind and generous and we are honoured to count them among our friends. At sixteen, their daughter gave birth to a child that she gave up for adoption. She went through a difficult time after that dealing with depression and at the same time rebelling against what she felt were the constraints of her upbringing. Eventually she married and as the children came, she returned to her roots and embraced the faith. Her greatest sorrow was that her husband was not interested in joining her in her involvement in the church.
This woman has musical talents and eventually became the leader of the worship team in her church. This gave her an opportunity to work with the pastor, who was facing some challenges in his own family. Both were vulnerable and sadly sought solace in one another instead of in their faith. The result was two shattered families. They are living with the outcomes of all of the subsequent upheaval and I continue to pray for her, that somehow she will come to know that difficult as it might be, she can find her way home again. As you can imagine, I know only the superficial realities of her situation, so in my prayers I must ask the Lord to help her to find her way and provide for her the people and experiences that will enable her to do so.
At the same time, I pray daily for her parents. I know they carry a burden for her and for her family. They want so much to help her, but like so many of us, they have learned that it is not their place to try to help adult children make their decisions. We have to allow them the freedom to make their own choices and yet offer our help and encouragement when we can. I often pray for them, as I do for myself that they will have wisdom and discernment and know when to speak and when to remain silent. I also give thanks when we see any indication that God is at work in this difficult situation.
I have to admit that sometimes I wonder how long it will be before we will find evidence of the changes that will indicate a renewed faith and strengthened family relationships. Nevertheless, I do not doubt that because of our prayers (mine and those of others who continue to remember her) grace continues to flow into the life of this dear woman and her family. I intend to keep on remembering her daily in my prayers.
I have invited your comments to the blog and I know that for some of you reading this, your first language is not English. Do not worry about that. You can just say, “I want a free copy of your book.” That will give me concrete evidence people are reading the blog.
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| Winner of The Word Guild Christian Leadership Award 2011 |
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