Mother of a Prodigal

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

3 John 1:4

I realize that John is speaking of “spiritual children” in this verse of scripture; however, I have made it personal to me as a mother whose desire is to see her children walk in truth.

I’ve posted this short verse on the closet door in my study/office/computer room. It is prominently displayed and catches my eye the moment I sit down or walk by. It’s a reminder (as if I needed one) to pray for my children, ALL my children (those in our church family, other ministry friends children, but especially for the ones I physically birthed).

How blessed you are if your children are walking in truth. You should THANK God continually!

Satan knows the heartaches he causes parents when he “thinks” he has drawn a pastors or ministers child, or one of our church family’s kids away from the truth. He is attacking our children every day no matter what their age. He goes for the “jugular”... he knows how precious our children are to us. He means to draw blood... He means to hurt, kill, and destroy. But MY FAITH is in God’s WORD!

But I have NEWS for him... and I’m not being “smug” either... because I know that anyone of us can falter at any moment... after all, we are still in this degenerate WORLD and we still wear this fleshly robe. I am CLAIMING my children, my grandchildren, my church children, my friend’s children in the Name of JESUS!

I remember once hearing Sister Nona Freeman speaking at a Ladies Retreat in western Maryland... she was telling us about how she prayed for her lost children... YEARS of prayer... telling us “DON’T STOP, PRAY, PRAY, PRAY”. I have the tape...still. It never leaves my mind. I can hear her words to this day... and that is approximately 18 years ago.

Don’t stop, Mom and Dad, keep praying. There is HOPE in their returning. The Word of God gives us that!

One Mother’s Day Sunday, I spoke on God-appointed Mothers in the Bible and the challenges they faced, including our mother of origin, Eve.

I also read the following:

Mother of a Prodigal

Where is the mother of the prodigal son
On that day so long ago?
What were her thoughts
And what were her fears
As she watched him turn to go?

How many times in the dark of night
Did the tears slide down her face?
Did she get out of bed
And fall on her knees,
Just to pray that her boy was safe?

How were the days when she did not know
Was he alive? Was he warm? Was he well?
Who were his friends?
And where did he sleep?
Was there anyone there she could tell?

But, oh, on that day when she looked down the road
As she had looked since her son went away,
Did love unspeakable flood her soul?
Did she cry?
What did she say?

I think when the father had welcomed their son
And the boy had greeted his brother,
That the servants made a path
For him to enter the door
And the waiting arms of his mother.

I don't know who wrote this, but they surely had a mother’s heart.

I WILL NOT lose the vision of seeing my prodigals coming down the road to home. I still have HOPE and belief that TRUTH will prevail.

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray,
and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
Ps 55:17

I know that some of my children may read this... please remember I love you very much and pray for you continually!

Technorati Tags: family,prodigal,motherhood,prayer,HOPE,Vision,long road home

August 2008- SlideShow

Family Time

We were privileged to have two of our sons visit us this summer.  Marc and his family in June and Tim and his family in August.  So, we were able to visit with all the grandkids but three.  Hopefully, we will see the others this year too!  Chloe our Great granddaughter will be TWO YEARS OLD on the 25th of this month.  I can't wait to see her.  I know she's grown so much since I saw her last August.  And OH MY, Kailee has grown-up so fast.  She's going into HIGH SCHOOL this year!

Here are some photos taken during these visits:

Nana and Poppy relaxing at the camp site.

Our oldest son, Tim on the Carousel at Coolidge Park in Chattanooga,TN

Below- the THREE MEN on a bench!

Kailee at the Camp

 

This is a photo of the inlet (a part of Harrison Bay-Tennessee River) that Tim & Terri were camping at. We live less than 4 miles from this park.  And we take long walks here.  It's beautiful, especially early spring and fall.

 

 

 

This is a pic of the fountain area at Coolidge Park and the kids are allowed to play in it.  There are all these zoo animal fountains surrounding the center fountain.  They have a lot of fun during the HOT summer days.  This park is right next to the TN River.  If you look off in the distance you will see one of the four bridges that cross the river into the City of Chattanooga.  WE LOVE IT HERE!

 

I've already posted some of Marc and Shenyle's  Florida Beach Vacation, but I have some more to post and will next time.

Well that is all I have time for this year.  I have more to post and more to write... but it will have to wait until later.

All is well...

Just a brief update to let everyone know I made it to Missouri all in one day.  Didn't have any trouble and it actually was an enjoyable trip.  I had 11 1/2 hours to think, pray, worship, and just contemplate the goodness and God's love and mercy.

Got into my parents place around 7:45 pm their time Saturday evening and Sunday we worked sorting their personal belongings and packing the camper and storage trailer.  Went to church Sunday... their service is at 4:00pm and they only have one service on Sunday at the church they were attending in Missouri.

Monday was a run errands and last minute lab and prescriptions, etc. including a trip to Springfield for Dad's lab work.  I kept the rental car 2-extra days until I was sure all the running around was completed.  I did not want to drive the truck with the camper on it anymore than I had to around town.

However, I did find that with the extended mirrors I didn't have any problem driving the truck.  I only had to back the trailer twice and that was a comedy act.  When you can't see the trailer you're trying to back... it gets a little hilarious.  I can back a trailer if I can see where it's going... otherwise, its direction is anyone's guess!

I will write more... this is the first time I've had a chance to spend more than just "email check".  I know we will all get into a new routine... and we will all adjust to the differences in routines.

Almost time...

Well, I've not done as much to the house as I anticipated doing. With working full time and not being able to devote a WHOLE day to a project, it's rather difficult to complete them.  I'm in the middle of several!

I'm off this Friday or Saturday morning early (3:30am) to drive to Missouri and move my parents into our home. Thankfully, hubby is all for this. We both (us and my parents) have some trepidation about how this is all going to work out... they not wanting to feel like they're giving up their "independence" and us giving up our "empty nest". I know it will be challenging, but if we keep our attitudes in adjustment... it will work out. They will be 83 this July and I know they do not want to live in a nursing home and I can't see them in a nursing home as active as they are in mind and body. We cannot afford an assisted living apartment... my mother-in-law lived in a beautiful assisted living apartment until she could no longer take care of herself. She refused to live with any of us and later went into a nursing home where she had been the recreational director when she was much younger.

I request your prayers for me on this trip... there and back. I will be driving a BIG dullie pickup truck with a huge camper and pulling a small trailer. I find that just a little intimidating... the trailer pulling part! Because with the camper I can't see the trailer I'm pulling. I'll have to make sure I do all "pull throughs" so I don't have to do any backing up :).   I will take photos along the way and post them later. 

I know this is very difficult for my parents.  Giving up their home sorting through all their belongings and moving to a different State at their age.  Please pray for them.  Pray for a SAFE and uneventful trip. 

Technorati Tags: prayer,parents,moving,trucks,campers,trailers,attitude adjustment

 

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