A few days later, life going on with an additional heart-beat to our family, I stand behind my kitchen counter, reaching to this amazing heavenly Father again. Challenges don’t stop rolling just because a prayer was answered, especially with a house full of boys to men growing into independence.
I see the challenge, like a barreling stone, bigger than me. I don’t chastise myself that I didn’t see it sooner, or solve the rolling of it sooner. It is what it is. Don’t think I’m flippant or irresponsible. I used to beat myself up for not knowing things before I knew them – until God took the baseball bat I was beating myself up with out of my figurative hands.
Life just burps up challenges from likely and unlikely places.
But God isn’t just interested in turning baby girl for a safe delivery (see previous post) – He’s interested in a teen boy struggling to find his place in a new school, though we had only moved away 2 years before returning.
God is not surprised by any of these challenges. He’s just waiting for us to turn these challenges over to him.
This teen son with an innate joyful spirit is not feeling joyful lately. Once I asked, “Have you prayed about it?”
He responded, “God knows what I need.”
“But God’s not like your mama who bursts into your problems unasked. God’s not like that. He waits for your invitation,” I answered.
“Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed;
he will answer him from his holy heaven
with the saving might of his right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
They collapse and fall,
but we rise and stand upright.
O Lord, save the king!
May he answer us when we call” (Psalm 20: 6-9).
And so I ask and I pray, interceding through prayer, asking our Father, once again, trusting in His name, that He knows what is needed in this challenge and has already set the answer rolling from His throne, the saving might of His right hand moving to protect one of His beloved children, whether it is turning a head, pointing to an opportunity, turning an attitude, or holding us to stand. It only waits for the asking.
I am awed that He, God, the King, Emmanuel, Jehovah, I am – wants me to ask
Father, I didn’t have a parent who knew how to intercede, that they could come to you in prayer for their children in their growing-up struggles. I found you at 7, held on tight and didn’t let go. But even I didn’t know I could come to you for help, that you were there to pick me up, comfort me – for the big and Little things, little and Big- though I reached out for you I didn’t realize I was the King’s daughter because of Jesus.
But I know now, Father, – who I am to you and who my son is to you. I know that you want me to come to you – to intercede for this son who is struggling, who feels isolated, no connections, no place here – no real home – and I intercede, stand in the gap for him, beseech you to bring him friendships that will lift him up when he is down – and open his eyes to see that friendship, that in this next 1.5 years until he graduates – that home is restored in his heart, that he recognize comfort, belonging and warmth here.
You know what he needs, Lord. You know what is really going on in his heart – and, as the daughter of the King, your daughter – not the fatherless orphan I was growing up – I ask you to work in my son’s life, restoring that which was lost.
The challenges – do they ever really stop? Have they ever really stopped – big and Little, little and Big? If you chronicled all those challenges from today backwards – what would you find?
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit” (Corinthians 3:18).
Maybe we are transformed from glory to glory challenge by challenge.
God has heard your cry for help about your son and He is faithful. You did right to speak to him and then to back away and pray instead. Your son is maturing and is almost a man. Sometimes they must figurer out to call on God on their own because you have nurtured and taught him the ways of our Father God.
this post touched me, for too many reasons to list. just know that it did. thank you.
steph
As a mother who prayed for her own son, it really, really works. Every prayer that goes up to the Father continually circulates around heaven. Blessings
Very well said. It is an almost incomprensible thought that GOD wants us to call out to Him. But it is trye, nonetheless. I am so guilty of not doing so as often as I ought. Especially for my sons. Thank you for this sweet reminder. Blesings, Dianne
Thanks for this post. It reminded me that I need to be doing spiritual interceding for my grown kids. He knows so much more than I do what they need!
God bless you!
That shift from doing it all for them to stepping back and letting them do it is hard. I am right there. But I see how God watches over them, answers prayers, molds their hearts, and I am grateful. Thanks for this.
Raising teenagers is so humbling. I am smack dab in the middle of those years with my two and my hubby works with them for a living. I loved this post. God does know what we need before we even know we need it, but he doesn’t want to be taken forgranted or forgotten either. He is happy when my heart cries to Him for answers…He just wants me to let go and let Him answer.
Sometimes I don’t know what to ask. So I just say oh please, Dear Father, help.
I have been away too long…I think I need to curl up and read back for several weeks. The two post I have read, have been at work, and I have fought back some emotions. So. I will read more at home. Your sharing is always so wonderful….
It takes a special woman to be a mother to all boys! A praying mom is the best of all! And prayer is the best she can do! Bless you for your mother’s heart of prayer. You will see the answers. Praying for your baby boy!
I love this. I feel your mother’s heart toward your son. We don’t want to see our children go through difficult times… I know I will be on my knees constantly in the next ten or more years! But, I do believe those prayers you are offering are sacred and effective. Be blessed! (visiting from Grace Cafe)
It is so important to pray for our children and for our spouse. I love that you’ve interceded on your son’s behalf here today. I do believe our challenges transform us, in part, so our victories are welcomed with gratitude for God, the One who pours His blessings over us in good times and in bad.
Blessings,
~Rosann
It is so hard sometimes to shake our pride and reach out for God; but the wonderful thing is, He is always there when we call!!!!
Lovely post =) Thank you!
What a great post!
“In my distress I called to the LORD;
I called out to my God.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came to his ears…
He parted the heavens and came down;
dark clouds were under his feet.
He mounted the cherubim and flew;
he soared on the wings of the wind.
2 Samuel 22:7,10-11
One of my most favorite passages of God on the move in response to his child calling out. I pray God answers in ways you can’t imagine!
What a precious comfort He is to this mama’s heart, too! There’s no way we can anticipate everything, or even see everything that is coming our way for our children. What a comfort to know that none of it surprises Him! And I LOVE Psalm 20!!! Thank you so much for linking up! 🙂
Thank you for this encouragement as I pray in desperation for my young boys. Needed this today:)
I’m excited to see how God answers your pray. You minister to me, friend. You mentor with your wise, wise words.
This is a beauiful prayer. Teenage years can be so difficult, especially when changes come.
Many blessings,
Joan