Yesterday, I was challenged by my own words. There is a young boy in our community that has two other brothers and their lives are right out of a bad novel. The courts are keeping them away from their dad because in the United States, the court system believes they have all the power. A case manager can decide where these boys go, even though their mother has been diagnosed, by professionals, as having many personality disorders.
I realize that I don't have any control but this boy continues to come to my house for shelter and there is nothing I can do. He is not being physically tortured but the mental torture is almost worse. As I talk to him about not giving up on Christ and that I have people praying for him, I want to act and stop the madness. He is not sleeping and yesterday, he was kicked off the track team. It's frustrating to watch as his father stands in the wings and wants to be with his sons.
I was so distraught after his mother picked him up that I went over to one of my friends houses to talk with her. I asked her if she had any advise on what I should do. Without physical signs, everything looks like rebellion and yet, it's so much more. She told me that I needed to continue to talk to his dad about Christ and ask him if I could pray with him. She also said that she would be praying for his mom because the bitterness and hatred had set in and the need to keep her children away from their dad had become a weapon to punish him, when in reality it's only the children who are being punished.
Of course she was right and as I sat in the chair, all my words came back to me yesterday about unanswered prayers and taking God out of the box. I have been praying every morning that she would be revealed and that this child would have relief before he does something he will regret. I have been praying about a corrupt judicial system that allows people to take kids away from parents that could be beneficial in their life. I have been praying for one judge to see the chaos that has been caused and let this father be part of his children's lives. This man was a millionaire in 2006 and now is completely broke. Those kids mean more to him than life, don't we want that ladies? I do. I want men to stand up and be part of their children's lives so that they can grow up and be great men.
In all this, I see it as an opportunity to bring Christ forward in this child's life and in his dad's life. I have become bolder, through my experience, while writing this blog and I am praying that both of them will experience God fully and passionately. If they must face this trial, and by the way it's been 8 years, then please Lord, let it be for Your glory.
I tell this story today because we are paralyzed without the will of God. We must pray for His will to be done and then let him work. My worry must disappear and in my peace; I must count on my Savior. I have watched God move mountains in peoples lives and I am asking all of us to unite and pray that God would move mountains for these boys. I have never been a fan of one parent over the other. We need to pray that families stay together so that children are protected from the wars we create. I thank God every day that he repaired and restored my marriage because I want my sons to know that God is good and that He is sufficient in all things.
Ladies, will you please join me in praying for this family and families all over the world that look like this one? I know that suffering is part of this life but I also know that God is merciful, powerful and awesome. I need you to be praying with me that he would heal families and give boys and girls all over the world the ability to know Him in all things.
Ephesians 2: 1-10 NKJV:
And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of the world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit, who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk with Him.
I may not ever know what the purpose was behind this great tragedy but Christ does; and I find comfort in that. He calls us to remember that together He has brought us to Him. We have faith because of Him and none of our works matter. So in today, I must rest and believe that He will show mercy on these children and that in all their suffering; He will prevail. With all my heart, I believe that this situation will be for His glory and my role is to pray for every family, in every nation. If you're out there and going through a similar situation, read my words and know that God puts people just like you, on the hearts of people just like me. May God keep you safe today and may He bless you as you pray for families everywhere.
My prayer today:
As I do every morning Lord, I come before You a woman with a desire to pray for others. Today, I pray for a family that wars over children and leaves those children without hope. Please Lord minister to this family, lift them up and help these boys and their parents know You. I am praying that the corruption in our court system would cease and that children in all nations would be able to participate with both parents. I pray for women, that we would be obedient to You and that You would protect us from Satan. Our children were not given to us to use as weapons. They were given to us to raise in Your name and I am praying that every woman will do so. Children are a gift from You, that should be cherished, loved and provided for. When we allow ourselves to become angry and bitter, there is no way for You to come in. I ask that You would create an army of warriors to pray for the broken families today and that each of us would surrender our will and become one minded with You. You are the thought leader behind the family and if You're not in it; it's a mess. I ask that women everywhere would be lifted up to You today with the message that You are with us and we are Yours. Please protect our families and open doors, as we minister to those that need You. In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
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