In Part 1 of “My Story, My Son,” I told you about the first three years of waiting to hear from my son. This story is the second part of that journey. As I said, I was tormented with fear and mental anguish in the first three years of the journey. To know more about what happened in those first three years, please read my October 2022 post.
THE FOURTH YEAR WAIT – 2014
My fourth year began in 2014, but the waiting differs from the last three years. I’m learning how to WAIT and FIGHT for my son! It’s a faith-building process that starts with specific Promises from God.
THE BUILDING PROCESS
Just as you may use bricks for building a foundation because they are strong, absorbable, and will not suffer from rot or decay, there are also different types of bricks you can use, depending on the project.
Similarly, when building your faith foundation for your children. There are specific Promises God has for them, regardless of age.
BUILDING YEARS 2014, 2015, 2016…
“Therefore the Lord God says this, “Listen carefully, I am laying in Zion a Stone, a tested Stone, A precious Cornerstone for the [secure] foundation, firmly placed. He who believes [who trusts in, relies on, and adheres to that Stone] will not be disturbed or give way [in sudden panic].” (Isa. 28:16)
In building a wall, just as you would, apply a considerable layer of mortar, a mixture containing cement, to the foundation. You must apply pressure, press the brick into the mortar, and push it down. It is the same approach as with God’s Word and His Promises. His Word can be like a brick; you must keep pressing in, pursuing The Word, The Promises of God. It’s not uncommon for weeds to sprout up.
PREVENTING WEEDS (Doubt, Unbelief, Weariness) FROM GROWING BETWEEN YOUR BRICKS
For three and a haft years, I stacked my bricks. Still, sometimes I would look anxiously around at other parents with their sons and daughters or listen to some dismaying news, unknowingly causing and allowing weeds of doubt and discouragement to weaken my foundation and cause cracks. As with mortar, the mixture to seal bricks for a foundation takes time and patience to harden and stabilize. Faith in God’s Word also takes time and patience for it to be strengthened and perfected in us.
KEEP YOUR FOCUS!
The waiting time was still difficult. But I learned when I became unsettled, it was when I took my eyes away from God and His Promises. When I thought about how long it had been and such. As one of my Pastors recently said, you must be intentional with your prayers! So I kept focused on my Promise bricks and avoided any distracting news. It got so that whatever horrifying things the enemy threw at me about my son, he could not destroy my foundation or move me off it!
MY FAITH FOUNDATION GREW STRONGER
“Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.” (Isa. 41:10)
BRICKS (PROMISES) I USED
“…for I will fight those who fight you, and I will save your children.” (Isa. 49:25)
“The Lord is good to all, And His tender (loving) mercies (compassions) are over all His works (all He has made).” (Ps. 145:9)
“Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring (children) of the righteous will be delivered (set free).” (Prov. 11:21)
“All your children shall be taught by the Lord, And great shall be the peace (well-being) of your children.” (Isa.54:13)
“Praise ye the Lord!
Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord that delighteth greatly in His commandments.
His seed (children) shall be mighty upon the earth; the generation (children) of the upright shall be blessed.” (Ps. 112:1-2)
MY WRITTEN/SPOKEN DECLARATIONS
Jaysen is…
(Put in your child’s name.)
A New creation (2 Cor. 5:17)
The Salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13)
A child of God (John 1:12)
Righteous and Holy (Eph. 4:24)
This Is Who He Is!
In The Mighty, Holy, Matchless, and Faithful Name of Jesus!
PROMISE FULFILLED YEAR, SEPTEMBER 2017
“We must hold on to God’s Promise that we have said we believed. And we must never let go. He has Promised, and He will do it.” (Heb.10:23)
Late evening in September 2017, I received a call on a landline downstairs while sitting upstairs. I never really use that phone, so I didn’t pay much attention to the message recording. Then a few minutes later, my cell phone rang; I looked at it but didn’t recognize the number. Usually, I don’t answer. But for some reason, I did.
When I did, I heard a male voice that said, “Hi, Mom, this is your son Jaysen. I love you, Mom, and I’m so sorry.” When I said his name, it was as though I was trying to hold on to each letter so it wouldn’t slip away. He repeated it three times, along with several loving words of joy, reassurance, and excitement. My spirit and heart were overjoyed, but my head had difficulty processing. Then finally, with tears streaming down my face, I said, “Jaysen?” He said, “Yes, Ma, it’s Jaysen!”
Even though I heard in those moments the peace and happiness in his voice, what I could hear even more clearly and sense was my Heavenly Father’s Joy!
“The Lord then said, “You are right, for I’m watching over my word until it is fulfilled.” (Jer.1:12)
DECEMBER 2022
My son is now married, has a beautiful family, and is doing well, I know where he is, and we communicate often!
The bricks, The Promises of God for our children, are Sustainable, Durable, Unchanging, and Prevailing!! You do NOT have to have fear-filled days and tormented nights! When you are awake and throughout your day, consistently speak the Promises! And when you are sleeping, they will still occupy your thoughts.
Never give up on your children or God. Keep believing! God loves them MORE than we do! Please let me know if I can join my faith in prayer with you about your children.
Love Never Fails…
Sincerely,
Jacqui
