Some of you may be going through different stressful situations with your children. And I know how difficult that can be, so I want to encourage you to stay strong, look up and keep fighting for their well-being. But, in this post, I want to speak to the person waiting to see or hear from a long-lost child. I know this can be a sad, lonely, fearful, and discouraging time.
Sometimes the waiting can seem unbearable. I know; I’ve been there. But I’m here to tell you; there is a Light at the end of the tunnel. There is a confident Hope for their future and yours.
DON’T STOP BELIEVING IN GOD
I’m encouraging you NEVER to give up loving, praying, and trusting God with them, regardless of their age or the situation. Sometimes we tend to think and believe that when a child reaches a certain age, especially an adult, it’s useless to continue praying or believing God for their well-being and redemption. That’s not true. Whatever the age, they are still our children, and God loves them.
For those of you who don’t know, I have an adult son and daughter, twins.
MY FIRST WAIT
2011
For almost three years, I did not hear from or see my son, and I didn’t know where he was. The situation was unprecedented for me. Never had I ever experienced anything like this with him. The loving son who would call to say Just hi, or hey, Mom, if you’re not busy, wanna go to the movies? Or would caI ll when I had foot surgery and say, Hi, Mom, you need anything?” This kind, respectful, considerate son seemed to have disappeared!
I would tell myself he is an adult, not a child; it didn’t help my distress.
So, I was ecstatic the day I received a phone call from him! Finally, I thought, the fearful nights, depressive and worrisome prayer days were over!
But NOT Entirely
After several or more very happy phone chats, encouraging emails, and most of all, knowing where he was (in another state), it all suddenly and unexpectedly ended! No, Lord, this can’t be! What happened? I thought this nightmare was over! Days passed, and I grieved. Then I would remind myself again he’s an adult, not a child. He makes his own decisions whether I agree or disagree.
But still, Lord, why? Why am I going through this again?! So, I worried, cried, and prayed some more.
AN ANSWER CAME
As I tried to sleep one night through fear-filled images of my son racing across my mind, I quietly heard The Lord say, “Fear brings torment.” Suddenly, my mind was clear, quiet, and peaceful! I immediately sat up and grabbed my bible. Here is the scripture I turned to, which broke the fear hold and started my faith walk versus a fear walk in my waiting season for my son’s return.
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18) KJV.
LOVE And Not FEAR
When I read this scripture out loud, I understood why I had so much mental anguish. I allowed fear to control me, not God’s great Love and Faithfulness. Love is Bigger, Stronger, and Neverending. I had to refocus from fear and focus and hold on to God’s Love for my son and me. God’s Love propelled me and anchored me into my second season of waiting.
MY SECOND WAIT
Just as Fear brings Torment, Faith in God brings Peace and Courage.
It took me a while to believe in God’s faithfulness to His Word about my son in my first wait, but when it happened, I knew what to do; I could hold my head UP and not down with a God-confidence while I waited AGAIN!
You don’t want to miss what God did and how He provided His Peace and Faithfulness in Part II of this testimony! God is NO respecter of anyone! Only believe! He is Faithful to His Word!
Thank you for journaling with me! God loves YOU and has Promises for YOUR children! I will share some of the Promises I stood on for my son and continue to stand on; they are life-changing! Be sure to catch my next post.
Sincerely,
Jacqui
